Swinging and this bad economy...

[2inSanDiego4u 181]

Many club owners in our area are complaining that their numbers are down about 20-30 percent. It seems like this economy is taking its toll on people getting out to clubs, and perhaps swinging in general. Things seem slower to us in general; less emails, less people chatting, etc. Do you guys think it is natural for people to swing less when times are tough?

[BiloxiCouple 695]

Less money = less leisure/swing time.

[ktown 15]

I think it is called disposable income and less people have it with the price of food, gas, house payments, etc. so swinging comes in way down the list for most people. There are some clubs charging cheaper prices where we live but the big one we go to and like the most is about $100 a pop which includes dinner, dancing and hot tubs but it makes you go less or try the smaller places.

[dnmnms 55]

Definantly. I know its a couple hours drive to the LS clubs from where we are. I dont figure we will be stopping the LS but I do think we will be staying closer to our area.

 

Melody

[2inSanDiego4u 181]

There are some clubs charging cheaper prices where we live but the big one we go to and like the most is about 100 a pop which includes dinner,dancing and hot tubs but it makes you go less or try thr smaller places.

 

$100 per couple? Wow, that's a lot! The clubs here are about $65 per couple (BYOB), which is still not cheap.

[Guest screaminggood]

We haven't been going recently because we need to use the money for other things.

[Playful1 434]

I don't think it's less swinging so much as less going out. It costs a lot to go out for the night, and I think more couples are opting to stay in, or just go get a few drinks with someone rather than go to a club.

 

I know I'm certainly opting for low cost or no cost options over going out a club.

[jjtrindc 142]

For us, a night out at a club means babysitter, nice dinner, club fees ($40 on premise, upwards of $100 on premise). For us, it's our time...away from kids, jobs, life, etc. I doubt we'll be giving it up anytime soon, but can understand where others will cut back. Indeed, meeting a couple online and just having them over vs. the club scene means less $$. Ultimately, people need there own getaways so while I'm sure clubs will feel a pinch hopefully they will remain strong -- so support your club or you may find yourselves with less and less lifestyle options.

[fun4Ds 1,098]

We have been saving . We squeezed our nickles until a Buffalo shit.

 

I'm ready to freaking party

[two4youinswva 3,068]

We'll collect aluminum cans for cash before giving up swing night.

[cplnuswing 4,713]

Less money = less leisure/swing time.

 

An unfortunate truth!! We're probably like most - times tighten up, the fun budget is the first to get cut. Could eat out tonight - or just find something in the fridge - Could go away for the weekend to the club or could just stay at home and work around the house

[JustAskJulie 2,595]

If we had to make the choice we'd stop eating out completely and set that money aside so that we could still hit our favorite club on occasion.

 

That said, there are plenty of ways to swing cheap. You may have to cut back on hitting the clubs and it may require inviting people home more, or just meeting for a drink or dessert instead of dinner, but a tight budget doesn't mean no swinging (or no leisure). Just means you have to do it differently.

[2inSanDiego4u 181]

JustAskJulie said:

If we had to make the choice we'd stop eating out completely and set that money aside so that we could still hit our favorite club on occasion.

 

That said, there are plenty of ways to swing cheap. You may have to cut back on hitting the clubs and it may require inviting people home more, or just meeting for a drink or dessert instead of dinner, but a tight budget doesn't mean no swinging (or no leisure). Just means you have to do it differently.

 

Those are some good ideas Julie. We went to an event over the weekend and spent about $140, of which about $100 was for drinks! Next time, diet cokes for us... Meeting at Starbucks would be much cheaper than over dinner, good idea there.

[TravlParty 87]

We've seen a change this past year in the number of people attending events - it has gone down. Our closest friends are in the real estate business, and are not able to travel. Companies in this area are closing down, and putting a lot of people out of work. I'm sure that's happening all over the country.

 

On a happy note, gas is under $2.50 a gallon, so the Halloween weekend should be great!

[LFM2 1,482]

We have cut back on our opportunities. We don't travel as far as we would have in the past. There were two great parties on Saturday night. One was much closer than the other, but charged $30/person (not couple) to get in and the other one didn't have a cover charge, yet it was 3 hours away.

 

We have been eating more at home instead of eating out. That in itself saves us $$$. Now we're saving up for a trip to attend our daughters graduation in December. Hotel room for three nights and food, plus the rental car. Everything takes money. Not a bad thing though -- it's what makes the world go round!

[MulderNScully 19]

You know, this is a good time for all of us struggling to maybe do some budget swinging or budget parties where everyone brings something and meet at a safe place and share the cost together. (just a thought)

[2inSanDiego4u 181]

We have been eating more at home instead of eating out. That in itself saves us $$$.

 

Us too. If we meet couples for the first time it's usually for drinks or coffee, not a meal. When we do eat out, we avoid ordering alcohol to keep the bill down. Playing at home would be the ultimate cost saver, but some of us just can't do this due to kids, family, discretion, etc.

[MrkLin 393]

We haven't noticed any unusual downturn in swinging at all. I should qualify that last statement by saying that it's been our experience that swinging generally takes a bit of a downturn this time of year as people start gearing up for the holidays. People are out of town, or have family visiting, or are saving their cash for Christmas - things like that. We usually have a pre-Christmas house party for just that reason. People like having that fling the second weekend of December - a time to just go nuts before they settle in with family for the big holiday. It's always well received, and we have a good turn-out.

[WonderWhat 166]

Well, in our case, it's cheaper to go to the club (New Horizons) than to go out for dinner and a drink. Since the club is BYOB, we end up spending between a maximum of $120. Compare that to a nice dinner and two or three drinks: $160-$200, and no playroom.

 

Now, Mrs. W's sister is staying with us for some weeks, so we're hitting the club as much as we can in the next weeks now that we have someone to babysit for free .

[TravlParty 87]

We compared our weekend at the club to our usual weekend at home.

 

Club fee: $75 for a weekend pass, BYOB. Hotel - $200

Had a blast! Partied until they closed.

 

Club fee/bar tab for a vanilla dance club: $30 in door fees, $200-300 tab (2 nights $10 per drink, plus $70 for dinner each night), splitting hotel tab $75.00 (very rare to meet anyone)

Danced a little and home by 1:00 am.

 

We paid $1.74 per gallon for gas this weekend.

 

When we do the math, going to the club is definitely our best value.

[ownerspet 506]

I think during slumps in the economy, people not only tend to swing less, but I think people do less things in general that consume financial resources. Whether it is movie and dinner out, OR door charges at a swingers social/club and a hotel room, people tend to spend less when the economy is not doing so well.

[starryeyes 23]

Our favorite is going over to another couple's home. We will generally bring the main dish especially since they are providing the venue. All in all the evening may end up costing between $40-60. No cover charge, can stay all night, and may even include breakfast in bed courtesy of the guys!!

[Chicup 42]

Unless you lost your job it is all in your head.

 

I'm so sick of the talking idiots telling us how awful things are because it scares people into not spending money 'just in case' and that gives us a bad economy.

 

It is like if the weatherman said 'it is going to rain' made it rain, it is practically criminal.

 

This is one thing that makes me very mad right now.

[BiloxiCouple 695]

At least gas is going down....

[JustAskJulie 2,595]

I actually managed to get premium for under $2/gallon yesterday.

[MRSfun 152]

I filled my car for 25 bucks today.

 

That leaves 25 saved compared to a few months ago.

 

Thats 25 bucks to get in the club now

[Chicup 42]

At least gas is going down....

 

And you remember all those economists who said it WASN'T speculation driving the price up, even though our consumption was 7% lower than the year before and production was up?

 

[MRSfun 152]

And you remember all those economists who said it WASN'T speculation driving the price up, even though our consumption was 7% lower than the year before and production was up?

 

 

Would a hummer make you feel good

 

I could do that

[WildMiCouple 325]

Chicup said:

I'm so sick of the talking idiots telling us how awful things are because it scares people into not spending money 'just in case' and that gives us a bad economy.

You haven't lived in Michigan the last 3-4 yrs. Although I've been doing fine (with projects in Chicago ), we've led the nation in lost jobs here. They'll be turning out the lights if we lose our auto companies

 

Having said that, there was a hotel takeover last month in the metro Detroit area and it was about sold out with over 300 couples from all over the midwest. At a cost of around $400, I was very surprised at the number that showed up.

 

Brett

[Chicup 42]

Would a hummer make you feel good

 

I could do that

 

The visibility out of a Hummer is awful, plus I'll be damned if I buy a GM car.....

 

Oh wait, a hummer not a Hummer....umm.. Yes please?

 

You haven't lived in Michigan the last 3-4 yrs. Although I've been doing fine (with projects in Chicago ), we've led the nation in lost jobs here. They'll be turning out the lights if we lose our auto companies

 

Having said that, there was a hotel takeover last month in the metro Detroit area and it was about sold out with over 300 couples from all over the midwest. At a cost of around $400, I was very surprised at the number that showed up.

 

Brett

 

Michigan's economy has sucked even in the 'good' economy.

 

With Circuit City closing, their PR people blame the economy, talking heads say 'a sign of the times' and no one mentions that Circuit City has been awful for years. I only shopped in their once, they had a bad selection and I was attacked by a salesman. Why would I go there over Best Buy or Fry's? In my demographic, no one shopped there as there were always better alternatives.

[BiloxiCouple 695]

I love my Hummer's, be careful. And I am not talking about the civilian imPOSter. I've done everything but roll one and have had all four wheels off the ground. They will fly on their own.

[jdavisauto 73]

I and my lady half took my two boys out to I-Hop for breakfast and it cost us $89.63 without tip. I am one of the lucky ones I guess, I still have a job and make a very good paycheck at my job but it seems for the past 7 months, it gets harder and harder to tie the ends together. Our club only charge us $30.00 for the week but most times we just don’t feel like going and leave to money in the bank. This economy is putting everyone in a bad place these days.

[JustAskJulie 2,595]

Circuit City has been awful for years.

 

You are so not kidding. I won't shop there because the last time I attempted to I was litterally doing jumping jacks in the aisle to try to get the attention of a salesperson and all they were doing was walking on by.

 

I think they started going downhill (like many others) when they stopped paying their salespeople commissions.

 

I and my lady half took my two boy out to I-Hop for breakfast and it cost us $89.63 without tip.

 

Damn, what do your boys eat? $90 for IHOP?

[Guest screaminggood]

Let's get serious, please: was the attacking salesman attractive? I've always wanted a man to quasi-attack me!

 

---the fem half!

[Chicup 42]

I think they started going downhill (like many others) when they stopped paying their salespeople commissions.

 

My experience was while they were still doing that, and I didn't WANT to be helped, there was nothing Mr. Suit was going to tell me about modems that I didn't already know.

 

On the other hand I did hear when they stopped it went to the other extreme with some pretty shoddy business practices.

[good times 991]

MRSfun said:

I filled my car for 25 bucks today.

 

That leaves 25 saved compared to a few months ago.

 

Thats 25 bucks to get in the club now

Ok, not to hijack the thread, but I had to tell this one because this type of thing rarely happens to me.

 

I filled up my car yesterday (21 gallons regular unleaded) for $8.00.

 

I went to the gas station and just as I was about to put my credit card in the pump a lady came up behind me and asked if I would do her a favor and take some free gas. After I determined that their wasn't a catch, I said, "sure, no problem, glad to help you out". It seems the lady had some free gas coupons that she had won at a casino that had to be used that day. She had $60.00 in coupons and her car would only hold $21.00 worth. So, not wanting it to go to waste, she gave the rest to me. After putting her free gas in the tank it only took $8.00 more to finish filling up my car. My lucky day.

[BiloxiCouple 695]

Sweet. Those coupons are normally good for the local area of the casino so out of towners got to burn them up somehow. Cool on the cheap gas.

[Chicup 42]

Just think of all those lucky people who 'locked in' 2.99 gas buying a car this summer.

[LFM2 1,482]

Damn, GT... hope you gave her a kiss or something.

[TravlParty 87]

Just think of all those lucky people who 'locked in' 2.99 gas buying a car this summer.

 

We did our part to help stimulate the economy and bought a guzzler: 1 ton diesel truck

 

Well, they were practically giving them away, and we had to have it to pull a 5th wheel, so why not?

 

I love my truck!

 

Oh, and my dune buggy fits in the bed, in case I feel the need for speed.

[fun4Ds 1,098]

TravlParty said:

I love my truck!

 

Mrs fun bought mine for me second hand, from a lesbian couple. It was just too well kept with low milage. With the economy, it is paid for at least and it does have a certain.... I love pussy and my truck feel

[Chicup 42]

We were up in your area over the weekend We have wanted to meet you both

 

Story of my life the last year Even if we knew we were out of town.

[Alura 2,775]

I've been thinking about how handy a pickup truck would be. You know, hauling around motorcycles, firewood, trips to the liquor store, picking up cowgirls for threesomes, etc... However, the last time I owned one (three months) I had more requests from friends to help them move than at any time before or since.

 

So here's my idea...

 

I know of an '86 Porsche 944 Turbo that has been hit in the back and is for sale cheap.. The hatch and spoiler are trash and the taillights broken but the gas tank is intact, the unibody unbent, and the battery compartment without rust (important!). It runs great, as Porsche turbos usually do.

 

I reckon I could find a pickup bed from a Chevy S-10, Ford Ranger, or some tiny Japanese pickup in a salvage, cut out the mangled taillight and license plate area of the car, and weld the pickup box into place on top of the rear deck of the Porsche. I'd have to do some trimming around the wheel wells and fit a window between the driver/passenger seats and the front of the new pickup bed. I'd have to sacrifice the spare tire compartment. Maybe a continental kit? ...or two spares, bolted on each side of the bed... ?

 

I have a salvage 924, hit in the front, that has a good rear body. I could cut out the taillight area and fit it to the back of the pickup bed, making it fold down with the tailgate. I could use a Porsche rear bumper, of which I have plenty and cut sections out of the rear fenders to finish the sides of the pickup bed with the Porsche look.

 

The rear suspension would need to be beefed up with heavy duty shocks and the tailpipe extended a couple of feet.

 

Mount a set of Texas longhorns where the Porsche emblem is on the panel between the front bumper and the hood and, presto, a cowboy Porsche!

 

What do y'all think?

[tangyspecial 31]

We stopped swinging last spring because of the economy and job loss. Now we are working 4 jobs between us instead of 1 to try to make as much as we did and still aren't close enough to feel comfortable. Because of the huge financial hit, we haven't been able to afford meeting new people and even if we could, we are busy working too much or being exhausted.

 

That said, we decided on premise clubs are something we are going to start looking into since it is cheaper in the long run and easier to fit in our schedule. Now I just wish there was one in our city to save on gas and give us more play time because of less driving time.

[fun4Ds 1,098]

We stopped swinging last spring because of the economy and job loss. Now we are working 4 jobs between us instead of 1 to try to make as much as we did and still aren't close enough to feel comfortable. Because of the huge financial hit, we haven't been able to afford meeting new people and even if we could, we are busy working too much or being exhausted.

 

That said, we decided on premise clubs are something we are going to start looking into since it is cheaper in the long run and easier to fit in our schedule. Now I just wish there was one in our city to save on gas and give us more play time because of less driving time.

 

We feel ya tangyspecial

[fun4Ds 1,098]

I've been thinking about how handy a pickup truck would be. You know, hauling around motorcycles, firewood, trips to the liquor store, picking up cowgirls for threesomes, etc... However, the last time I owned one (three months) I had more requests from friends to help them move than at any time before or since.

 

So here's my idea...

 

I know of an '86 Porsche 944 Turbo that has been hit in the back and is for sale cheap.. The hatch and spoiler are trash and the taillights broken but the gas tank is intact, the unibody unbent, and the battery compartment without rust (important!). It runs great, as Porsche turbos usually do.

 

I reckon I could find a pickup bed from a Chevy S-10, Ford Ranger, or some tiny Japanese pickup in a salvage, cut out the mangled taillight and license plate area of the car, and weld the pickup box into place on top of the rear deck of the Porsche. I'd have to do some trimming around the wheel wells and fit a window between the driver/passenger seats and the front of the new pickup bed. I'd have to sacrifice the spare tire compartment. Maybe a continental kit? ...or two spares, bolted on each side of the bed... ?

 

I have a salvage 924, hit in the front, that has a good rear body. I could cut out the taillight area and fit it to the back of the pickup bed, making it fold down with the tailgate. I could use a Porsche rear bumper, of which I have plenty and cut sections out of the rear fenders to finish the sides of the pickup bed with the Porsche look.

 

The rear suspension would need to be beefed up with heavy duty shocks and the tailpipe extended a couple of feet.

 

Mount a set of Texas longhorns where the Porsche emblem is on the panel between the front bumper and the hood and, presto, a cowboy Porsche!

 

What do y'all think?

 

Mr. Alura

I have a strange mind as you know But this reminds me of a joke so much.

 

Cattle farmer out in the pasture had a cow giving birth to a calf.

With complications, he had to make an attempt to help the cow deliver.

Pulling the calves legs, here comes tommy down the road on his bicycle.

Mr.farmer thinks. Oh no I'm going to have to explain all the facts of life to this little boy.

 

Lil Tommy parks his bike, climbs the fence and begins helping the farmer pull the calf, without a word being said.

 

Farmer thinks "hummm, this kid has experience"

 

Just then Lil Tommy says...

 

"Just how fast was that little cow going, when it ran into that big cow ?"

 

So AL, I would be thinking if I saw this marriage you are about to preform.

 

How fast was that S10 going when it hit that Porsche 944 ?

 

Great idea Al, I wish I was there to do the welding for ya.... It would be a fun time....

[MrkLin 393]

Alura said:

I've been thinking about how handy a pickup truck would be. You know, hauling around motorcycles, firewood, trips to the liquor store, picking up cowgirls for threesomes, etc... However, the last time I owned one (three months) I had more requests from friends to help them move than at any time before or since.

 

So here's my idea...

 

I know of an '86 Porsche 944 Turbo that has been hit in the back and is for sale cheap.. The hatch and spoiler are trash and the taillights broken but the gas tank is intact, the unibody unbent, and the battery compartment without rust (important!). It runs great, as Porsche turbos usually do.

 

I reckon I could find a pickup bed from a Chevy S-10, Ford Ranger, or some tiny Japanese pickup in a salvage, cut out the mangled taillight and license plate area of the car, and weld the pickup box into place on top of the rear deck of the Porsche. I'd have to do some trimming around the wheel wells and fit a window between the driver/passenger seats and the front of the new pickup bed. I'd have to sacrifice the spare tire compartment. Maybe a continental kit? ...or two spares, bolted on each side of the bed... ?

 

I have a salvage 924, hit in the front, that has a good rear body. I could cut out the taillight area and fit it to the back of the pickup bed, making it fold down with the tailgate. I could use a Porsche rear bumper, of which I have plenty and cut sections out of the rear fenders to finish the sides of the pickup bed with the Porsche look.

 

The rear suspension would need to be beefed up with heavy duty shocks and the tailpipe extended a couple of feet.

 

Mount a set of Texas longhorns where the Porsche emblem is on the panel between the front bumper and the hood and, presto, a cowboy Porsche!

 

What do y'all think?

 

Google is your friend...

 

Video: Porsche 928 GTS 6-Wheeler Pick-Up Truck - Carscoop

 

Zeswielige Porsche 928 GTS Pick-up » Autoblog.nl » Autonieuws van de straat

[Ed & Bunny 160]

The economic crisis this country is going through is widespread across all of our society. For us, we have been hit really hard. The funny thing is just as we are hitting our worst and hardest time, our swinging lives are heating up. 2 different couples we would like to play with, but we are feeling so down that we are really not at our best for play. I mean its hard to think about playing when you are not sure where you will be living in a month or two.

 

Is anyone else going through the same thing, and how are you dealing with it?

[VegasLee 1,486]

Kind of glad someone brought this thread back to life.

 

This last holiday weekend, Labor day weekend we saw the largest crowd at the club we have had in 28 years. Vegas even had a good turn out this time, better then this time last year.

 

A couple things may be happening.

 

People may be tired of hearing "how bad" everything is and felt the need to finally get out and come to Vegas. There are many good deals to be had in Vegas right now since things have been down the hotels have been giving killer deals.

 

As far as the club goes, I have to wonder if we had such a great turn out because Mike and Chris, the owners have left the donations the same for 28 years. Never raised them. They have always felt it was about the lifestyle and not the money. No to many things in this world that has not gone up in 28 years but they have not changed the donation at all. Still cheap.

 

I was very surprised at our tune out for the holiday weekend. I expected it to be way down and was shocked when it was the biggest yet.

 

Who knows what happened for sure but it was nice to see 100's of locals and tourists come party their butts off all weekend.

 

Over all for the year our attendance is up about 18%. Seems no slowing down the players.

[xxxboxy 139]

When times are bad, fucking is the cheapest entertainment.