[Boomer]

I am typing really, really fast right now, for this part, because it is a disclaimer. Here goes:

I am not trying to make this into a political discussion. I am just looking for the human interest angle. I have wanted to ask this question for a couple of days. I did not want to relegate it to political. I hope it will not become political. We could all state the obvious right now where economic issues are having an impact. But what I am looking for are the little stories in all this. Is there a small way in which the economic downturn came sneaking up and took you by surprise. The little things.

What's changed for you these days, in your everyday life, as a result of the economy.

Here's an example:

When I buy our meat, I always buy it at a local butcher shop. In the freezer case there, for years, there have boxes of frozen fish. I have been buying it forever. I bring it home. Stick it in the freezer. Thaw it out a piece at a time. We bake it or grill it. And we consider ourselves to have had a virtuous dinner.

Well, the other day I could not find the frozen fish. I asked the butcher. He said, "Iceland has raised the prices to us so much that we just can't justify getting the fish anymore."

I had been buying the stuff for 20 some bucks a box. It had recently crept to $32 a box. But the butcher told me that he would now have to charge $60 a box. He can no longer sell it.

So I bought a couple of pieces of fish from the case. But I had always liked the convenience of that frozen fish. Always in the freezer waiting for us.

Now, Iceland has decided that my money is so no good that I am not worthy of getting their frozen fish unless I am willing to pay through the nose. And not even then really. Because the butcher is not willing to pay through the nose. The decision is gone from my hands, my nose, whatever.

Et tu, Iceland.

How long will it be until we can buy only Velveeta and Oreos? I guess that would solve the impending Medicare problems for the country. We pesky problem boomers can be headed off at the pass before we get too close to 65.

So anyway, that's the boring little story of what happened to me at the butcher shop. I would gladly buy American fish if I could find any here in Ohio. And I am breaking up with Iceland for sure.

I had first recognized that I was being affected in small ways by this economic mess when I found myself buying more cereal, soap, toothpaste, whatever would not spoil, than I usually buy. I have been buying however much I think I can cram in the closet. It will all only get more expensive I figure.

Oh, and yesterday, I finally bought some of those "Forever" stamps.

That's my new approach to getting a return on my investments. Cereal and Forever Stamps. Guaranteed ROI. That's about as good as it gets lately.

So what's happening to you? What small changes have you made? Or been forced to make, like when Iceland cut me off.

Boomer