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 can't do without my make-up - it doesn't factor in as an "extra"! When I buy magazines, I buy ones that both my mom and I will enjoy and she does the same. Then we pass them back and forth. I even keep the holiday ones and pull them out at the right time of year. If I'm looking at Christmas decorating, I don't care if the magazine's from 2004 or 2008 - just flipping through them once a year makes it special. Oh, and I go to the public library. My small library has more than 100 magazines to borrow - I love it!
Buying for my kids and seeing that sparkle in their eyes "buys" me something too; that warm feeling of providing for them and knowing they don't have to know anything about all of this turmoil in the world. For them, happiness is as simple as getting a lollipop. My kids are 6 and 3.
I'm a coupon queen so I still buy all the things I want but I use coupons. We rarely go out to eat so when I want to go, we go...I still try to find coupons for the place though!! :)
On Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays (except Public holidays) movie tickets are only $5 at AMC theatres. We usually go on Sunday mornings.
We've decided to celebrate Holidays and Birthdays. The amount we spend is less then prior years, but it still lets others know we are thinking about them. :)
Well I don't have kids so I won't be buying them anything obviously. I haven't been to a movie theater in probably 15 years or more so there is no change there. My shopping/spending habits really haven't changed any.
I use coupons and rebates, so I find ways to save on makeup and snacks. I also use online websites to find GREAT deals on gifts for others and points programs help with gift certificates for the rest (including movies). There's still a way to do what you want, it just may take a little longer to get it sometimes :)
I like to give little treats and spending money to my kids so they can go buy something that they want. My daughter is saving up her money to go to a baseball game.
I wouldnt cut back on my kids snacks or food intake the only thing ive cut back on is his toys he usually got one once a week now hes down to one every 2 weeks or so. Makeup hmm. i still buy it but i use cupons rather than none and movies we trade movies with our friends since they dont have kids and can afford buying movies everyday they dont mind the trade for our movies but still in this economy id rather stay in and make room for family time at home.
We have cut back on eating out, from three times a week to once. I am cooking more and we are packing lunches for work.