Last modified: Sunday, April 13, 2008 1:11 AM EDT PHOTOS BY TOM MAGUIREJoe Derouin of Trackside Sales has seen his business take a slide since the end of last year. Facing down tough times BY REBECCA KEISTER / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF When talking about the economy, it's not all about money. Sure, the financial facts are everywhere. Everyone's heard about rising gas prices often enough that new reports on price per gallon fluctuations rarely cause alarm - rather, they only echo accepted knowledge. Steadily rising food costs have changed shopping and eating habits. Discretionary spending - on things like entertainment and clothing - is down. But it's not just daily habits that have suffered for most of us, during what is a serious economic slump. People seem to be taking stock of their lives, and considering how cutting out unnecessary driving trips, cutting down on social activities and being unable to really plan for their future is affecting them emotionally and mentally. Some aren't seeing their friends as much. Some aren't able to move forward with career plans. Some are being, in a productive way, pushed to see life's big picture. Falon LaCasse At first glance, it seems crazy to even ask the question. Has the faltering economy altered her young and fun lifestyle? "Oh yeah," Falon LaCasse answers, nodding her head rapidly with a half-smirk, half-smile that suggests she's even less happy about it than she lets on. The 23-year-old counter clerk at Laundry World on Pleasant Street has had to curb going out with friends and take on sporadic cleaning jobs to make rent and pay other bills. "I work side jobs, and I'm just not spending on unnecessary things like going out," LaCasse said. Still, she's not overly worried about the job market. "On this salary, it's not great, but it's not too bad," she said. What really has her down are rising gas prices, a common theme in conversations with a cross section of area residents. She's starting to limit where she drives, another way the economy has killed her social life. Arianna Fagardo She has the dreams and the means. About six months ago, Arianna Fagardo, 21, moved back home to Attleboro after earning a degree in medical office management in California. That was a major accomplishment for the single mom of Jose, 2, who supports her son without any financial help from his father. But six months later, mom and son are still living with her father and his girlfriend - and Fagardo is still applying for cashier jobs. "I decided to live out here with my dad," Fagardo said. "But I have to pay off the school to get my diploma. And it's just saving up for that money." More than financial, it's an emotional struggle for the young woman. "Being a single mom and living with my dad? It's hard," she said. She has to pay her father $200 per month for rent, and she's currently unemployed. Then there's taking care of Jose, looking for a job, and trying to put away any money that she can to look for a professional job and start an adult life for her and her son. "I'm applying at places," she said. "I'm just waiting for them to call me back." Laurie Hagen Some aren't so worried about the immediate effects of the economy. The Hagen family, who live in Attleboro, figure they've got it under control. At home, it's mom Laurie, son Dylan, 15, his little brother, their father and his parents. A big household, but a happy one, judging from Laurie and Dylan's receptive smiles, talking about things while folding their laundry. They've been forced into the coin laundry for the day because roots apparently started growing into their plumbing - and the repair is costing them $10,000. "Coming up with that all at once was tricky," said Laurie Hagen, who is a full-time mom and homemaker while her husband works in construction. "But my husband gets bigger checks here and there, so we've started making them last." But the economy has hit them, too, even if in small ways. They downgraded from three vehicles to two, leaving Hagen's car for family use and her husband's work van for, well, work. They've also tried not driving as much - staying local for family outings whenever possible. "We're mostly more conscious on the gas," she said. Kevin Medeiros Worrying about money seems to be pushing him further into adulthood. At an age, 28, and a time when some are shying away from taking on major financial commitments, Kevin Medeiros seems primed to give it a go. He's house hunting. "I'm paying to rent, so I'm basically throwing money away," said Medeiros, a manager at Bed, Bath & Beyond in Dedham. "Right now, houses are cheap. I'm trying to do it before the economy changes." Medeiros said he hasn't had to alter his lifestyle too much lately, although he admits he's always been one to spend more than he should. "I've been saving some, though, for the house. I watch how much I drive," he said. "But I'm fortunate enough to have a good job." Joe Derouin For some people, financial worries are hitting home - literally, at home - and then, at work. Joe Derouin, founder and co-owner of Trackside Sales on Pleasant Street, said business has been taking a slide since the end of last year. He's not surprised by that, but he is concerned. "I feel the energy prices are affecting people's discretionary income," said Derouin, a Pawtucket resident. "People are still making purchases, but the amounts are varying. It's like everything else." So, he's got stress about how people's spending habits affect his income, and then he - like everyone else - has to watch his own budget. "I'm being cautious, my family is being cautious," said Derouin, whose daughter is a senior at Rhode Island College. "Right now, we're still trying to get our daughter through school. We have to prioritize where our funds go. Everyone's worried." Julian Shore Even with a strong passion for his dream, Julian Shore worries what his future holds. The Berkley College of Music student isn't at all certain he can make a life out of his chosen profession - the piano. "I'll probably go into teaching, as well," said Shore, 20. "Jazz as an art form isn't necessarily the most popular form right now. I'm not sure how the economy is going to go for me. I hope I'll be able to survive." Shore, in his junior year, said he's thankful for his full-tuition scholarship, which means he won't have to pay back student loans after graduation. But even getting there is a bit of struggle. He works some gigs, but they are few and far between because of the demands of school - and he pays rent in Boston. He teaches a lot during the summer and saves, all of that for spending money during the school year. And he admits it's not always fun to be young and frugal. "Yeah, I pretty much stay at home, cook as much as I can," he said.