I was out of work for 4 months last year. Thank goodness I was able to draw unemployment! When I got the job I have now my income dropped from $41,000.00 in wages to $26,500.00 in wages plus $12,000.00 in retirement, making a total of $38,500.00. Not that bad of a drop, but it has definitely put a damper on buying of non-essentials! We live pretty conservatively. No premium cable, only basic, no game systems, no Wi's, no new cars, no fancy clothes, etc. Increasing food and gas prices are affecting us, but we are keeping the bills paid. I did consider selling off some guns, but I had already sold the ones I did not want, and I'm keeping the rest as an investment. If push came to shove I would keep only my very favorite ones and sell the rest at an auction where you would get top dollar for them. I hope things work out for you. Hopefully our economy will turn around soon!
Steve