Area residents find ways to survive difficult times

The Botkins of Chesterfield County -- Nicole and her husband, Chris, their three children and two dogs -- are a close family with big dreams of living in their Monacan-area home for generations to come.

But the recession and a string of economic misfortunes have hammered their household and sent them scurrying to do whatever they could to survive hard times. They sold possessions, replaced a SUV that had a high loan payment with an old used van, leaned on social-service agencies for support, joined a food co-op and signed up for food stamps.

"You don't want to lose the things you feel you've worked for," Nicole Botkin said, "but it comes down to a matter of priorities."

Their biggest single move was to modify their mortgage. It wasn't easy with a $10,000 past-due balance plus late fees. But by extending the loan to a 40-year term, they made their payments much more affordable -- about $675 less per month, an $8,100-a-year savings.

"It's a rejuvenation of our dream," she said triumphantly. "Now we can buy plenty of groceries."

Consumers nationwide are hurting as the daunting economy slogs on. But many like the Botkins have found ways to relieve financial burdens and dredge up cash to survive difficult times.

Even people who are not struggling financially are simplifying their lives, cutting costs and raising money.

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Beth Harrell of Richmond's Stratford Hills neighborhood recently sold more than $8,000 of household goods through a consignment shop and dealers. The items included 40 years worth of furniture, paintings, pots, pans, dishes, knick-knacks and rugs.

Selling on consignment is "a wonderful route to go," she said. "Even though I'm faring fairly well, I also like shopping that way. I find real gems at a fair price."

Kim McDaniel, who lives in Henrico County near the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, periodically consigns such things as a lamp stand, glassware and sterling silver that she doesn't love anymore. "It's a little mad money," she said.

The split on the women's consignment sales is 60/40 -- 60 percent of proceeds to them, 40 percent to Susan's Selections, the consignment shop on Staples Mill Road where they take their items.

Shop owner Susan Campbell said people are "downsizing in place" these days. They're staying put and consigning household items or holding a live estate sale at their home after moving.

Some consumers are raising money by renting rooms.

Grace Moore of Richmond takes in about $1,500 a month by renting out three rooms in a house she owns near Byrd Park.

"It helps me because I'm a senior citizen," she said. "What they pay helps me to be able to meet my obligations."

Feeding a family during hard times can be a challenge.

Donia Spott's family in Powhatan County -- husband, Billy, sons Sammy and Ethan and daughter Maia -- belong to a food co-operative, the Georgia-based Angel Food Ministries Inc., which is administered locally through houses of worship and community centers.

Spott's family pays $30 for a box of food, including fruits and vegetables, which "is easily $60-$70 worth. I think it's a terrific use of your food dollar," she said.

"It's not a handout. It's not a charity. It's more like a food co-operative," she said.

"This doesn't replace visits to the grocery store," she added. "But it definitely helps" feed the family.

Lyric Hassler, a new Richmonder as of last year with her husband, Jeff, a Virginia Supreme Court clerk, participates in Henrico's "Gardens Growing Families" community garden program.

They have a 1-year-old daughter, Aurelia, and another daughter due in August.

Hassler grows lots of produce in a community garden in the Lakeside area. This year, she planted lettuce, onions, chives, basil, tomatoes, squash and peppers.

"It will definitely save you a bunch of money," she said. "A packet of seeds costs 99 cents," while vine-ripened tomatoes cost $3 or more a pound in stores.

"If you pay attention and don't let them fry to death, you can get quite a bit of vegetables out of the garden."

The American Community Gardening Association in Ohio said there are an estimated 18,000 such gardens throughout the U.S. and Canada.

"The cost savings depends on the knowledge of the gardener," said Vicki Garrett, the association's projects coordinator. "If they saved seeds from last year and know how to compost, they can get a garden for free."

Some consumers economize by eliminating duplicate utility services at home.

Cell-phone user Taylor Malbon of Midlothian, a vice president at the advertising and new media agency Madison+Main in Richmond, ditched her landline.

"I was barely ever using it," she said.

How much getting rid of a landline can save depends on what plan a person has and whether it is bundled with other services, such as television and the Internet.

If a landline service costs, say, $46 a month, that's a $552-a-year savings.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than one of every five American homes had only wireless telephone service during the second half of 2008.

One of every seven American homes received all or almost all calls on wireless phones despite having a landline phone in the home, it said.

Both businesses and consumers save cash by bartering.

The U.S. Department of Commerce said bartering accounts for 30 percent of the world's total business. There are 16 businesses and consumer barter exchanges listed in the Virginia Barter Directory online.

Wayne Gross, owner of Aarrow Transmissions and Automotive, fixes vehicles. But for some customers, instead of getting paid cash, the value of the repairs is banked in an account at James River Trade Exchange, a business bartering service on Monument Avenue in Richmond.

He uses "trade dollars" that he accumulates to acquire whatever business or personal products and services are offered by about 200 other exchange members, including advertising and promotional services for his business.

Being a member of the exchange costs $217 a year cash, or a one-time fee of $527 for a lifetime membership, plus a $10-per-month membership fee and 10 percent of each trade.

"I get all my computer work, print work, business cards, IT work and Web site work through trade," Gross said. "I'm not laying out cash."

James River Trade founder Cindy Creasy Woolfolk said that in this economy, some small-business owners who can't afford to give employees a raise are giving them trade dollars instead to buy whatever exchange product or service they need.

Contact Iris Taylor at (804) 649-6349 or .