So many people are worried about how to pay for the future.  It seems like the rising costs of living require more and more funds.  Milk, gas, electricity, it all seems to be going up in price and more of the paycheck is devoted to just staying alive.

The really frustrating thing about this is that people can no longer save for retirement.  The credit card is being used to pay for basic things such as groceries and gas, and the bills just keep piling up.

Because of this a lot of people are looking for ways to spend less money.  Some people travel less, while others are trading in their cars for smaller, more fuel efficient, vehicles.

Energy efficiency in the home is also becoming more important.  Many people are making small changes such as changing out their lightbulbs for more efficient ones, while others are actually making some significant home improvements such as adding more insulation.   Some even go so far as to add solar panels.

The challenge with solar panels is that they cost so much. Solar panels cost most homeowners will spend at least $12,00 for a solar panel installation.  That is a lot of money to have to front in times of economic hardship.  And, while it will reduce the monthly electric bill, it typically means a higher mortgage or  home improvement loan payment.

The bottom line is, times like these call for ingenuity.  We must look for areas where we can save money, without sacrificing the essentials.  Whether that means relying on solar energy, or simply doing without as many ‘nights out on the town’, each of us needs to make our own choices to make sure that we survive these tough times and come out ahead.

After all, we will all have to retire someday, and will our retirement funds be ready for it?