Until we get some relief businesses and families are preparing for a tough year ahead.
At home people are forced to rethink the way they spend and businesses are looking to reinvent themselves to make money
It's happening everyday; from the auto industry, to department stores, even entertainment venues like the bowling alley in your community, all finding new ways to do business.
Everywhere you turn car dealerships are trying to give you a reason to shell out cash.
At one car dealership in Idaho if you buy a luxury SUV, they'll throw in a $13,000 Chevy Cobalt.
And the deals don't stop with the dealers, malls are offering deep discounts too.
Companies all around the world changing the way they do business to make money in this tight economy.
So how do they keep from striking out with families trying to hold onto cash.
They get creative, Richfield Bowl in Flint is now offering "Pizza and Pins" to help families that are feeling the pinch.
"It's a promotion that we're running on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 11 a.m. until 4 in the afternoon," says bowling alley owner, James Teuber.
"It includes two games of bowling, slice of pizza, and pop; the use of a house ball and rental shoes...all for $7."
Bowling, it seems like it's been around since the beginning of time, the kids can do it, parents, and even grandma and grandpa too; fun for the entire family.
But, since budgets are even affecting family fun, businesses have to find new ways to get customers through the door.
At Richfield Bowl that's made the difference between empty lanes and a packed house.
"There's lots of people bowling," says Teuber.
"We packaged it and made it affordable for families to come out and have fun."
So far business for Teuber has been good.
"Definitely the numbers have been up since we've been doing it."
