How this recession is changing your habits?

Well, since I've always been poor anyway, my changes have been minimal. We are very used to living pretty frugal here. I did switch all my light bulbs to the energy savers a while ago. I am even more concious about my electricity and grocery bill. The biggest extravagance is this internet that I have really. I only get basic cable as we rarely watch tv. I unplug all things that are not being used. I have a big jug that I pour all the tail end of laundry soap into. It adds up and has often come in handy. I do the same with shampoo & conditioner using smaller jars. Its not our favorite but many a time we've run out and had no money to run and get more. We get store brand on many items when shopping and we do look for sales and use coupons but only if the items are on our list. Many of these things I've been doing for so long that it is 2nd nature to me so I had to really think to come up with these things. If I think of anything else, I'll be back. ok?

Firstly I have spent much less on Christmas presents this year and I have told my family and relatives to do the same, Christmas isn't a big deal for me to be honest and rather than being forced to spend spend spend in the commercialized Christmas world I have cut back big time, it's the thought that counts after all, not the expense of the gift. I have also stopped using my car as much as I used to, I only use my car twice a week now, the rest of the time I use public transport or walk which I prefer to do, unless the weather gets bad. I have saved a fortune not filling up so much at the petrol station and thus less wear and tear on the car.

Well, part of the reason I've curbed my spending is because I lost my job. I just don't buy anything. I have unemployment coming in and that just pays for the bills. I really don't know how I would act if I still had my job. That's the thing about this economy. When you have a job, you really don't notice it as much as you do when you are working.

I have always been rather tight fisted, but with the economy being the way it is as well as the interest rate being paid on savings even less, there seems no sense of me just holding most of my money in my no interest checking account. So I have decided to transfer more of my money to my 'high' interest savings account and then when next Christmas or the next birthday comes around, to transfer it back into checking. That way I will make a little interest. Oh and I have always paid off my credit cards every month, but this time, I will check to see if I can get it on sale and stock up rather then wait, walk rather then drive to the store, keep the lights off when I am not in the room. And I will check for quality rather then quantity.

Great posting and I appreciate it very much, especially the level of sensitivity and the positive sentiment contributes in your subject of discussion during this gloomy economy situation, globally. This kind of economy recession really discerning me on how to be smart next time, on time when economy is perking, I have to do more on saving and think seriously about interest earnings. As much as I could within my capability circles, and not for lavish spending. Have to and no option for it. The advantage that would be, when economy slump time I'm able to enjoy by liquidation my interest earnings for my appropriate spending. MY CONCLUSION : Saving attitude must be practiced in my entire life, deeply in my mind and blood. That's all from me, sweetlady10. Have your nice day.

we have definately changed our spending habits..less spending on clothes..and lots less on choclates in a way its good cause i am losing weight but jokes apart things r really tough

it definitely does. We have being saving by only buying neccesarities and not spending anyhow. Hope this recession will goes off soon so that we can return back to our life.

We are staying home and doing things at home. We have started getting together with family and friends to play board games and cards alot more. Something to pass the time.

during the incoming of this recession my baby was born. and so i started to cut down to buy things that are not a basic needs. and now the cutting work forces is another thing. i just hope, that i can still find another job if that happes x x x good thing is that i already stopped smoking so i won't add it to my habits too...

I don't drive as much, go out to eat as much, and I am buying more food in bulk these days. One thing that I find myself doing that I have not done since I was a kid is picking up coins that I see laying on the sidewalk. I used to just walk by them but for some reason started picking them up and there are plenty of them on the sidewalks in the city.

Hi Sweetlady, we have actually started cutting down our expenses ever since the oil price increased mid of this year. Even now that the oil prices have decreased, the prices of commodities and essentials still remain unchanged. So we will continue with our new lifestyle - that is, cook more meals at home (used to eat out everyday), walk more instead of driving out, try to buy everything in one trip (we used to shop 3 or 4 times a week), and look out for promotions/offers from hypermarkets/supermarkets/retailers/banks.

We try to not drive as much and walk more frequently. We also try to buy smarter also and try not to use too many light sources. I heard that because of the financial problems, and you need to replace your flooring and etc for insulation, it may be the best time to buy it now because the the cost of labor/materials has dropped. Due to the financial problems, a few are laid off and looking for work, thus price has driven down.

in fact,the recession haven't affected me directly yet,but it also make me worried.so,at this time,i cut some of my cost that is no necessary. beforetime,i often have my lunch and supper outside.but now,i cook for myself.

I made a bad choice and moved from AZ to SD recently. Not only a culture shock, but I gave a 45,000 a year job and am now unemployed. My wife and I are having a baby and thought this would be a better place to raise kids. My wife is from here originally. I wish it was easier to find a job. Most places are moving to make you apply online. I dont like it because then you dont have the one on one face time with the Manager. You arent making a lasting impression you are just another name to them.

Yes, I'm making changes ,and I'm trying to stay away from credit cards. I'm buying only what I need and not what I would like to have.

We definitely have curbed on a few things since my husband lost his job this summer. We haven't been going out to eat as often, maybe once or twice a month. We're not getting quite as many movies. Maybe once in a great while. We're definitely trying to curb how much we drive our van. Since I drive our car mostly for work (it gets better gas mileage than the van) I put all of my gas money into that. Although, it's a little easier to drive our van since the gas prices went down. instead of paying like 80-100 dollars to fill it up, we're paying like 30-40, depending on the price as the tank.