In an effort to spend as much time as possible outside the apartment before I go back to work, I packed up my son and we headed out to explore our city. (Well, “city” might be overstating it, but I refuse to believe I live in a “town” so let’s just call it a city, shall we?)

While we were out, we stopped at the library. Even though we’ve lived here for almost six months now, I’m just now making my way there.

Due to the current economic conditions, and my desire to save as much money as possible, I signed up for a library card. My habit of buying books is getting to be expensive, and if I’m going to keep up with all the latest bestsellers, I need to take advantage of the fact that there’s a place in our community that let’s you have books. That you can take home. For free. No charge. WHO KNEW?

I really want to begin reading more. The past two years I’ve read a book here or there, but I remember a time in my life where I would regularly plow through a book or two a week. I liked those days. I felt smarter when I was able to sit down with something longer than a magazine article.

But now I’m not sure where to begin. Any suggestions, dear readers? Any books out that made you think, gave you a new perspective on something? Let me know. I’m ready to put my card to good use.

I guess it’s official that we’re in a recession now. *Yawn*

The reason why I’m not stressing out or panicking or cursing to the heavens, “Why?!!? Oh why?!?!” is because I’ve been living like it’s a recession all my life.

This piece on CNN.com, about the many ways people are cutting back, made me chuckle. In the lede, a mom discusses moving into a smaller home and cutting out expenses such as getting her lawn serviced. 

Hmm, let me think about that for a minute. When I was younger, we lived in a smaller home. Heck, I live in an apartment now. My dad always cut our grass, and he bought enough rakes for us to help remove the leaves in the fall.

What people fail to realize in this economy is that for the first time, the financial conditions are forcing people to live like regular people. Regular people don’t drink $5 lattes and don’t get their dog groomed once a month. Regular people don’t live in 3,000 square foot homes with landscaped lawns. 

Regular people have been living paycheck-to-paycheck without any way to get those “luxuries” that other people speak of. How do you cut back when you’re struggling to survive as is? When are we going to tell those stories?

I’ve decided to retire my blogging activities at my fomer website and continue them here so this site stays as fresh as possible. For all you newcomers, welcome! I’m looking forward to your comments.