We’re mad as heck and I guess we have to take it. Whether it’s the price of groceries spiraling or our shrinking life’s savings, we stand in dismay like shrubs in a hurricane, helpless.

On a recent visit to Florida to spend time with friends, the topic of conversation was not the upcoming primary, but the Florida homestead referendum that was on the ballot. You see, all those who have made Florida their state of residence had a more pressing issue than the presidential candidates. The referendum was all about property tax assessments for homesteaders in Florida, many of whom are retirees. It had everything to do with economics.

According to a recent Associated Press article, “…economic concerns…have replaced the Iraq war as the public’s top worry.”

To be truly honest, we aren’t totally helpless. We’ve dealt with tough times before. One of us grew up during the Great Depression and the other was raised in a practical, frugal family. We know how to make a roast chicken last a week, that shoes can be resoled, and that aluminum foil can be recycled right in the comfort of your own home with a little soap and hot water.

But we had thought that being careful and saving for what used to be called our Golden Years would eventually pay off. You know, that we’d have that bit of extra money for a trip now and then, a fancy dinner out, indulging a favorite grandchild, or losing our heads and hearts over a pair of red shoes.

The political viewpoints of the presidential candidates are suddenly less important to us than stretching our fixed-income dollars. We’re back to the 1992 campaign slogan when James Carville said, “It’s the economy, stupid.”

If you are retired and living on social security and investments made into mutual funds and stocks, the current roller coaster on Wall Street is not very reassuring and your every dollar may be suddenly short-lived. Many of us have already experienced decreased pension funds and limited medical coverage from the companies we worked for that are now in financial crisis.

So the interest on your savings account is dwindling. You’re taking the bus instead of driving to your errands because of the price of gas…except for the trip to the consignment shop. You use every possible combination of coupons and sales. You re-gift unwanted holiday presents. You go to restaurants that serve generous portions so you can bring half the meal home for dinner, even if you’re not crazy about the menu. You’ve started rolling pennies instead of putting them in a jar.  (But we don’t recommend washing the cashmere sweater your son got you for Christmas. Spring for the dry cleaner.)

Now, for the good news. It looks as if we may get a tax rebate from the government. For those of us who earn too little to pay taxes, including senior citizens living on Social Security, the rebates are predicted at $300 for an individual and $600 for a couple.  But like the furniture store that promises no payments or interest until next year, history teaches us that you’ll be paying for the rebate sooner or later.

Hey, don’t call us curmudgeons and complainers. This is real. We’ve already started our belt-tightening. Be warned that you’ll no longer get scallops when you come for dinner at our houses.

It’s vegetarian chili from now on. We no longer volunteer to be the nighttime drivers for our friends. Fortunately, the new bus service in Saratoga Springs runs until almost midnight. And we’ll be wearing those worn old sweat pants for one more season.

Sorry, but we have to go now, we’re practicing with electric clippers so we can give each other haircuts. Stand back.