We’re hoping it improves soon too. There’s still a bit of debate over whether it’s going to happen. The judge says the Governor has the right to order it; the Controller says the computer systems can’t cope. The real test is looking to be at the end of the month when the paychecks come out. But for now we have to live like it will happen.

This is practically an annual tradition for California, having a budget battle that isn’t settled on time and often gets taken out on State employees but not the Legislature or their employees. They’re exempt!

Frugal is very much a way of life around here.

We just keep reminding ourselves that if the money gets taken away for a time, it will also be given back when the battle is settled. That doesn’t make up for whatever gets jammed onto credit cards, but such is life.

The recession has hit the UK pretty bad too. My husband was out of work for several months and it was at the worst time for me, as I was doing very little work myself due to my son’s accident.

As you say, when you wind up in situations like this, you need cash right away. Selling stuff you don’t need on ebay can bring in money pretty fast, or selling your own product as you said.

We learned to live a lot more frugally, which was useful and it taught us that we need to be prepared next time. When these things happen suddenly, your options are definitely more limited.

Thanks, we are.