With so many people losing jobs and investment portfolios taking a hit, consumers are being more thoughtful with purchases.
We were curious about which "extras" you are eliminating during this recession?
Makeup (lipstick, mascara etc.) (52.0%)
Snacks (50.0%)
Movie Tickets (20.4%)
Treats for my kids (47.3%)
Dinner Out (45.6%)
Gifts for Others (39.8%)
Magazines (22.2%)
I won't give up my make-up but i do look for coupons for it when i can. I don't splurge a lot on my kids but i do like to treat them once a week. My husband does too. We will sometimes sacrifice diner out just so we can treat them. It makes them feel special and makes us happy too.
IN THIS DAY AND TIMES; REMEMBERING OTHERS; IS NEEDED MORE THAN EVER; PUY ON SALE ANY LITTLE THING TO SAY " I LOVE YOU" to your loved one; being- family or friends; means a lot in these times and they will remember them more as they know ; things do not come as easy as yesterday. Do not stop giving; it comes back 100 folds.
While I want my kids to understand what is happening in the economy I still want to treat them, so when we do get treats or go out I use coupons so they can see this in action.
I can go without going out to the movies, or snacking, but sure can't leave the house without my makeup!! I wouldn't want to scare anyone! And of course my children are the highlight of my life, so I get them what I can. They're both older so it's nice to keep their hobbies going so that they can have something to keep them out of trouble.
I will buy make-up only with coupons. And we have to have snacks.
My husband work hard. Both girls are in college. We love to explore new restaurants! We hardly ever go to the movies. I don't wear a lot of makeup. We have a small family, so gifts are not a great expense. I have begun to cut back in other ways not listed on this survey. Ex: not leaving things plugged into outlets that are not necessary (cell phone charger, cordless vac, hairdryer, etc.), bought an umbrella style clothesline to dry some clothes on weekends, recycle newspapers & magazines, clothes to charity, etc.
I get snacks, just fewer of them and wait for sales, specials, and coupons and get what is priced best. I get take out once a month, same as always, but I just get fewer/cheaper items so I'm spending about 60% of what I used to spend on it. There's only one must-have magazine on my list, and that's an extra expensive computer one. The rest I've been allowing to expire as the renewals come up, so I'm down to just three subscriptions whereas I used to get about eight or nine.
I want my kids to have normalcy so I haven't really cut back on the things we did before the economy went bad. I cut back on other things by buying cheap or generic items like toilet paper, dish soap, etc.
my family really hasnt been affected. we have always lived within our means. our children have always gotten whatever they have wanted. i live by these words "if my husband cant get it for me i dont need it"! we dont put money first in our home, we put GOD first!!
I don't plan on making any changes in our purchases.