RECESSION?

I don’t know what all the fuss is about over the use of the “R” word. All we have to do is consider what we’d do if there was a serious downturn and that should clear up the question.

If we were in a recession, we would cut the number of shopping trips we make each week. We would shop only if we were going out for at least one other good reason (doctor’s appointment, church meeting, etc.) The more errands in the one trip, the better.

If we were in a recession, we’d turn off the lights and any other electronics that were not in use to save money.

If we were in a recession, we’d make food preserves, like squeezing all the citrus in our backyard and freezing the juice in plastic bottles we’ve saved from milk and fruit drinks.

If we were in a recession, we wouldn’t buy expensive presents for our kids and grandkids but rather make sure they can come for the holidays by getting them plane tickets and telling them to not bring us any gifts.

If we were in a recession, we’d move some of our investments into money market funds which have a stable interest rate.

If we were in a recession, we’d try to spend less than comes in from our pensions and Social Security so we go out less either to eat or for entertainment.

If we were in a recession, we’d pass along any canned goods, clothes, and bedding we can to the food pantry at our church that serves the needy.

If we were in a recession, we’d re-use bottled water containers and fill them from our refrigerator’s spigot.

If we were in a recession, we’d do the laundry every ten to twelve days instead of once a week in order to have fewer but larger loads.

If we were in a recession, we’d go more frequently to the local merchants than to the big box stores in order to help the locals survive the pinch.

I’m not saying we are in a recession. But I can tell you that we’ve been doing all of these since last summer and most of them since 2005.