Spending Question

[disney junky]

Are you not spending because money is tight? Are you not spending because you don't know what is happening with the economy? Or have your spending habits remained unchanged? I know I could do a poll, but I'm interested in people's input.

 

[Enchanted_Mama]

we are still spending - just more cautiously. I have what I believe to be a very secure job, and my DH (owns his own business) has a nice pipeline of work lined up, but I know that things can change in an instant, so I'm trying to prepare. We are trying to increase our savings and are aggressively paying down debt. We just got back from a trip to WDW, and I'm already planning/saving for our next vacation, so we're definitely still spending.

 

[mickeyboat]

We are still spending, but we are putting off and really thinking about larger purchases before we make them. We are also cutting back on Christmas this year (last year was an exception). We have also been thinking of ways we can further cut costs and maximize cash if we need to.

Denae

 

[Angelhalo]

Our spending habits haven't changed. We still need food, we still like to entertain ouselves, and we moved and n our new location gas is cheaper so that has helped a lot to go from $2.60 a gallon to $1.99! We just refuse to live like misers. We can't take it with us!

We're going on a cruise in January too!

The only thing that has changed is that we actually set a price to spend on each other for Christmas this year whereas last year we just spent whatever we wanted.

 

[Charade]

Part of the problem with not spending (or significantly cutting back) is that it negatively affects the economy which in turn affects employment. Unless you're self sufficient, it's the "circle of life".

To answer the OP, yes, we are watching what we spend but we have not made any significant cutbacks or changes.

 

[lillygator]

only spending what is necessary.

 

[dismom2005]

I'm driving less, trying to combine errands into one big trip out, but spending maybe only 10% less than before on clothes, etc.

 

[DawnM]

We changed our spending habits 3 years ago significantly after taking a financial class. Thankfully, before the economy went down we had paid off all of our student loans, car loans, and debt other than our house.

We now ONLY buy with cash, even our new roof and new a/c that needed replacing. We save each month and we didn't used to do that.

So, the current economy hasn't changed our spending habits, but they were drastically changed 3 years ago.

Dawn

 

[disney junky]

We changed our spending habits 3 years ago significantly after taking a financial class. Thankfully, before the economy went down we had paid off all of our student loans, car loans, and debt other than our house.

We now ONLY buy with cash, even our new roof and new a/c that needed replacing. We save each month and we didn't used to do that.

So, the current economy hasn't changed our spending habits, but they were drastically changed 3 years ago.

Dawn

Mind sharing what class?

 

[LeeLeeLuvsDisney]

We haven't changed our spending habits much. In fact, we've spent a ton more this year than we ever have (and hopefully ever will again!):

- We got married.
- Honeymooned at WDW.
- We spent a lot fixing up DH's house (new roof, new siding, paint, etc.) and thankfully sold it very quickly.
- We then bought a newer, larger home and spent a bit of money fixing it up.
- Now we are fixing up my house to sell (new carpet, paint, etc.).
- We have trips to WDW and Japan planned for early next year.

We still eat out a couple times a week and spend money on things we'd like to have, albeit a little more cautiously. We have no debt, except for two mortgages, one which we hope to get rid of soon. We know we are very lucky in our situation, but we've also been cautious our whole lives to be in this position - living below our means, saving steadily (pay yourself first), no credit card debt ever, etc.

We are definitely a bit worried about the economy, but we've been prudent our whole lives and it's worked for us, so we're just going to keep on keeping on.

 

[kinntj]

We haven't changed our daily spending habits. Our Christmas budget has gone down quite a bit and no trips planned. I feel we need to keep pumping money safely into the economy to keep people employed.

If I feel my DH's job might be in danger, then I would tighten as far as I can and save, save, save. So far, so good.

 

[RitaE]

Well, I'm not spending because I'm paying college tuition.

But we have decided to try and beef up the savings account. I haven't really decided on a Christmas budget yet but it will almost certainly be lower than last year.

 

[suzimar57]

we're being more watchful of what we spend - cut out movies, eating out, unnecessary impulse purchases on the weekend...

not in debt (we pay our one credit card in full every month), all bills paid up, no more tuition to pay for DS - just want to be careful, based on how this economy is these days....

my sister is helping out paying half for our thanksgiving dinner (it gets expensive quickly!) - and starting this year we're no longer exchanging presents (glad to be rid of that PITA)

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We are not spending because we have debt and a dd about to go to college in the Fall 2009.
So we are trying to position ourselves better.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

.

 

[Trish Bessette]

No changes. No big purchases in the future. Christmas will still be big thanks to my Christmas club I do each year

 

[eliza61]

We are doing the normal spending but have put on hold any major discretionary spending. My best friend just celebrated 4 years breast cancer free, we had planned a girls only trip to France next may (her 5th anniversary) but that's been put on hold. I know its sounds really selfish with so many people out of work but all during her horrible chemo & radiation and a masectomy we keep saying "when you get well, we'll do Paris" and now with all the uncertaintity we're not.

 

[mikehn]

Our spending level nets out to about the same. We spend more on things we really want, and less on frivolous junk.

 

[Mellie2162]

Not spending like we used to.

 

[Kathi OD]

Living on one salary for almost 6 months has caused us to dramatcially cut our spending. It's not like we don't want to spend, but there isn't much left over now after paying the monthly bills. We just don't want to use our savings for "wants", as there may come a time when we might have to use it for "needs". Although I will say that I didn't decrease the Christmas budget at all (I have a separate account for Christmas and birthdays). Next year that might change too.

I do know that as soon as DH finds a new job our spending will increase, although maybe not to the same level it was pre-layoff. It's kind of amazing what you can live without when you really can't afford it.