Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Are You Cutting Back?

Lots of people aren't spending as much as they used to. I guess that's part of the reason the economy isn't bouncing back. Another part is that people don't seem to have money to spend. Or, is it that they realize they were overspending before, and now after hearing all the warnings, they're afraid to shop?

I know I'm not spending as much as before. One reason is the DH is semi-retired, so not as much money is coming in. Another reason is much of what money I have left after paying bills goes toward my writing related expenses.

What about you? Are you spending as much as before? Are you Cutting Back? When you do shop, what kind of items do you buy? Please share.

16 comments:

  1. I've been cutting back for about a year now. I feel like I need to cut back even more.

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  2. Anonymous7:31 AM

    About six months ago, we realized we had some big expenses on the horizon and needed to plump up the savings. After the first month, we stopped missing many of the non-essentials and are in no hurry to return to our previous behavoir. After all, we'd like to be semi-retired as well:-).

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  3. Anonymous8:37 AM

    Oooh yeah - WAY back. Less eating out, watch movies months after the debut by renting the DVD and viewing at home, etc. Times like these ya haveta tighten the belt.

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  4. We've had to cut back because prices keep going up, but our income doesn't. Actually, that's not totally true. I've made a bit more money, but the hubby really hasn't and the bonus structure changed this year thanks to the terrible economy, so we lost a significant amount of money there.

    We were never loose with our money, but now we're rethink even going out to eat.

    Cheryl

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  5. I think we tend to watch our pennies more these days - though I haven't cut back on writing related expenses...yet.

    Jane Kennedy Sutton
    http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/

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  6. I'm cutting back because I'm saving for a house.

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  7. We've cut back on some things. But we weren't very big spenders to begin with. For one thing, I hate to shop. Seriously. I don't even like going to the grocery store. Forget the mall. But we are more conscious of our money, for sure.
    Helen
    http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com

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  8. I've had to operate on a pretty stringent budget for most of my life, so trimming a bit off my spending again has been all that new to me. But I still need to find more ways to try to cut back whenever, wherever I can.

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  9. Can't get my egg and bacon roll in the morning as it's gone up 80% due to subsidy at work being cut, 5% pay cut, still trying to sort house issues out, kids needing more. I am living off less.
    Barry

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  10. Yes, I've been cutting back on many things, especially since my husband retired and there is much less income. We are splurging a little right now though at my daughter's and spending time with the little grandsons. Have to spoil them a little when we get the chance!

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  11. It doesn't seem to matter how much we "cut back" - we're still spending the same amount of money. How does that even work?
    Of course, between the house that's breaking down at every turn, and the horse that's still lame from a broken sesamoid, the universe is conspiring to take all our money.

    Gayle "Would Like to Buy a Lottery Ticket if She Could Afford It" Carline
    http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com

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  12. It's yes and no. I took a class at a dollhouse show and all the classes were filled. Even the $400-$800 building classes had at least 6 students each, if not more. People are spending... depends on what.

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  13. We've cut back in little ways-but then we weren't able to spend a lot in the first place.

    Great post!

    www.nancyjparra.blogspot.com

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  14. I'm cutting back in some areas while actually spending more in others. Like I've been eating out more this year, but that's due to my husbands deployment and me not feeling like cooking for one. Plus it gives me an excuse to hang out with my friends. :)

    But I cut back on the extras with the cable bill, I do virtually no shopping beyond for food, and I'm being way more conservative with my gas. Not using the AC till I need to. My little car guzzles up gas so fast with the AC on.

    Meg

    http://meg-writerforlife.blogspot.com

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  15. Much more money-conscious. We seldom go out to eat, and when we do it's an inexpensive restaurant. Cut down on groceries and buy more store brands and sale items.

    Very few discretionary purchases. We wanted to downsize and move into a smaller home, but that isn't going to happen now.

    Mary
    http://www.cynthiasattic.blogspot.com
    http://www.woofersclub.blogspot.com

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  16. In my household we are trying to restructure our meals and grocery purchases. Since we both are out of the house for most of the day, we tend to buy a lot of food 'out". From coffee to bottled drinks and sandwiches, the amounts add up quickly. We decided to buy in bulk what we mostly consume. Costco's bottled drinks with coupons are almost half the price of what it costs to buy individually. We cook
    dinners which we can take with us and so far we have noticed some savings. As far as other things... well...lets just hope the economy will bounce back and fast!

    Aggie
    http://nocturnal-intellect.blogspot.com/

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