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 will keep treating my kids whenever possible; they obviously had nothing to do with the way the economy is today, and shouldn't have to sacrifice things they enjoy. Smetimes it might just be getting to order pizza and rent games or movies on payday , but I try o not make them go too long without any extras.
Snacks are definitely something I need to continue to buy. I have 3 children and its hard enough to tell them no we can't buy this or go do that with our current financial situations. Snacks are something my children look forward to on a daily basis. Its part of our routine, dinner, baths, snack and then bed so if I had to cut out buying them all together our day wouldn't go as planned.
In my High School Yearbook, there is a section (Can't Live Without). Under my name it say;s Makeup, which still hold's TRUE! Gotta have my lipstick & mascara. Treat's for my children, grand children, and gifts for others are a need, not a want.
I have always cut corners everywhere that I can so that we can still have the little extras. We just don't over indulge in them. We still go out to eat but it doesn't always have to be a sit down resturant and snacks from Aldi's taste just as good as the name brand snacks but don't cost nearly as much.
The little things in life are important.
this is a two answer question for us. I cook every day except Friday. It has and always be our pizza night. We "give back" to our local community by purchasing a pizza (or 2) (we have a family of 5), from a different establishment in our community every Friday. The second answer to this question is giving treats sporadically to our 3 children. They are very deserving in their school work and daily lives, that we still want to reward them by getting them small items, such as their favorite snack, or a new game to play at home. This is not a weekly thing that we do, but it is something we continually do, despite the economy.
Oops, I am too hasty! For some reason, I thought it was asking what things we would cut back on, so I answered this one totally wrong. Sorry, SheSpeaks, and I promise not to answer any more polls before I have my morning coffee! I agree with lilwecky, ever since my child was born and I cut back to working part-time from home to be with her, I gave up on little things for myself. I basically quit makeup and every other expensive thing that could be a pair of shoes or new doll for her. Luckily, she doesn't have a chance to notice that things are being reduced in our household, because we make sure to get her favorites, no matter what.
My husbnd and I are snackers, but I buy store brand pretzels, pop our own popcorn in a hot air corn popper and bake brownies and cakes to save. I also shop sales and use coupons!
If you learn how to combine coupons with sales you don't have to cut back on anything! I just started doing this and am able to have more of these things than ever before.
Kids and adults still need a snack just to feel good but I try to keep them with healthy choices.