As far as "TV", I bought my house in '03 and I had a television. I never had it hooked up to satellite or cable though. I just would watch a movie everynow and then, otherwise it got dusted off more than I watched it.
It wasn't until around '08-'09 when my wife (we were engaged at that time) moved in and she demanded we get Direct TV. It sort of worked out, cause my neighborhood also got high speed internet, which I cared more about than TV. I bundled the package of our home phone, internet, and direct tv. It's been working out for us, but as afr as TV goes, I only really ever watch History and Discovery channel.

Back to the "in this economy" subject.
I had mentioned before that a lot has to do with lifestyle. Example:
Here in Las Vegas, it's expensive to eat anywhere. I have no problem taking my wife out for a nice dinner, but why should it cost over $35 for breakfast and over $40 for lunch for 2 people? Call my wife and I lame, but it didn't take us more than a day to figure out that by the end of the week we'd have easily spent over $400 just to eat. We actually went to a local grocery store and picked up a few things like, bread, eggs, orange juice, milk, cereal, etc.
New we have breakfast in our hotel, which is great, cause I can eat whenever I roll out of bed and not worry about waiting 2 hours until my wife gets out of the bathroom while I starve. We also make small lunches in our room. Better than eating out? Yes and No.
The best breakfast we ate in Vegas so far, was at the Rainforest Cafe. I had an omlette, and she had french toast. It was delicious, but was it worth $34 for the 2 of us? Maybe... but if done like that Monday through Friday, that's easily over $170 just for breakfast.

I get some of what you posted. But why the fuck go to vegas and eat the same stuff you eat at home (or worse). If it's a vacation then spend money. If it's everyday life, cheap out.

I'm not saying we spend our whole vacation in our hotel room making scrambled eggs and toast. We just like to keep breakfast cheap and simple. I have no problem shelling out top dollar for a great dinner.

Sounds fair to me.

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Go to Hash House A Go Go at the Imperial Palace. Pay whatever it costs. I promise you will not be dissapoint.

For the most part, I think that's probably pretty reasonable. However, some jobs require certain skill sets or training. If you were a construciton worker for the past 6 years, you probably can't jump right in to network security.

Alternatively, if you have a mortgage in the "Sunbelt" that is significantly underwater, you might have a hard time relocating to an oil-and-natural gas boomtown.


On the whole, though, I think I have to agree that most people could seriously cut back their lifestyles if required but not all do. For example, I know of people burning down their retirement money rather than selling a "larger than necessary" home that has equity or drastically reducing their lifestyle.

This is a big part of what happened in the late '90s and early '00s according to some economic schools of thought, based on accounting and banking models. The private sector, rather than reduce their standard of living, maintained or increased it using credit (aka debt).

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Seminole Casino Job Fair -- more than 1,200 people showed up this week.

It is imperative that you dress in a camo T-shirt and hat to meet prospective employers. It gives the impression that you definitely give a shit.

I am a member of the unemployed by choice.
Before you judge me understand this, I have not received one cent in aid e.g., unemployment, food stamps, (insert other government tit program here). I chose to take a hiatus to spend time with my family after 6 years working overseas, and have sacrificed my savings to achieve this.
I started halve heartedly seeking employment 2 months ago, and found the potential here rather dismal. Most of the local shops here in rural hick, N.C. believe that a person with my experience level (14+ years as a heavy equipment mechanic) should be happy to work for$10.00 an hour with no benefits. Many of the prospective employers I have contacted find it too much effort to contact my non U.S. previous employers, and quickly cylindrically file my application. I have no doubts that I can have a job within a week, if I was willing to commute 130 miles round trip, or if I am willing to work for the wages I made 15 years ago. I have not reached the point (yet) that either of these options are appealing.

As long as you can afford it then I have no problems. But when you choose to get a check from the government (for doing nothing) over working then I have issues.