who says they have financial crisis? everyone was still preparing!

Even if my answer is late, i can relate on this jazel. People even if they say that they don't have much money would always buy something to prepare on new Year. Not only on New Year , but also Christmas and when it's fiesta in their place. Well, that is our tradition indeed, but if you cannot afford it, why not just go to your in-laws , bring something and there spend the New Year.

Hi Jazel, Im in the States and I've noticed it here too. I think people are using credit cards and others skip some of their bills and even let rent get behind. Others have government help and still others...i really don't know how they do. Maybe the crisis just didn't hit some as hard as others.

Well, could be they were just doing their weekly grocery shopping and on this day to get the daily sales due to the holiday. Holiday time is often the best time to shop for groceries for stocking up purposes. Get it while it is cheap. And..New years is a holiday people have parties for...nothing again until valentines day and then Easter...so maybe it is just the last party nite for awhile. I have seen long lines in stores, but not as many people and think, "i got her at a good time..everyone is checking out. They'll be gone by the time I check out and the line won't be as long"....alas...the lines were only long because there was only 2-3 registers open! All these people in the store, and they only open 2-3 registers and the lines are circling around the store!! Open more checkers! But of course, they'd have to hire people and they don't want to do that....especially if it is just to make their customers happy and have a pleasant shopping time and willing to come back again! And of course...each line has a problem person....debit card isn't accepted, credit card over limit etc. And yeah, people are using what little credit card ability they have. I hear the banks are trying to get rid of debit cards as they are not only not making any money off a debit card but it is costing them every time a debit card is used and they have not had any luck passing that on to the card member..so if they do credit cards....all is solved!

Well, whether the Mayan prediction might come true or not, we still want to make the best of our lives, whether it is the end of the world, or the financial crisis year, we still have to live on. We would just have to create the best for our generation, and everyone else. Thanks for 2012.

It is a good thing to celebrate but we should make sure that our budget for it did not come from any loan or credit card. What is the logic of welcoming the new year and its supposed good luck when in the start of 2012, we already have debts to worry about? We should spend within our means no matter what the occasion is. Only God knows when the world will end and how it will end. I'll not worry about it that much :)

You have right attitude,yes people all over the world are celebrating and hoping that this new year will bring the change in world economy.You may have seen people celebrating,at the same time they know their economic limits.I dont belive that this beautiful world is going to destroy completely.We should think about those things and let the Nature god decide.You have the point,be it end or not just celebrate your life and feel the pain and enjoy your life.

I think people will splurge on special occasions even if they do not really have the money for it. It's nice to celebrate and it can be comforting to maintain traditions.

Yes, people who have no money or say they have no money still will buy certain things. I hope we all make this the best year.

I like hearing that there are people out there having a good time and doing fun things for the holidays. The unemployment rate in my city is over 10 percent so the economy can't be well but I'm glad to hear that people are still spending money and treating themselves and their families. I've heard about the end of the world bit too. I'm not going to waste away my life savings but I'm still a little worried which I hope doesn't make me a little crazy. Happy mylotting.

Hi Jazel, wish you have a very happy new year celebration. As for me here, i don't really spend much into this recent new year celebration. I am trying my best only to spend within my means. I try not to overspend and put my whole family into debt. It is not a good practice to be in debt just for the fun. It is always better to be in good budget, whenever we are in what situation. Happy new year to you and family...

hi, my response is really late for this topic,but still i observed that too even in my neighbor and to my friends,they always say that they have some financial difficulties but when the celebration is there they still prepare,i think it because this is our really culture we practiced.

hello, Yeah, I also noticed that. They said that they are experiencing financial crisis but they still look so prepared for the new year. ha ha my mom prepared foods which we can share and exchange to other neighbor. In that way less cost because we have different prepared dishes. Cheers! Though they said this is the end of the world, maybe we can still make this as the best year ever.

Even how though how tough life can be, during this festive seasons people still get to celebrate it especially us Filipinos. It has been a tradition to us. After all the celebrations, we are all in debt. That is part of life and the reality.

The same here in Indonesia, everyone said that they do not have money. But they burn money just to going around using motorcycle. Why don't they just reflect to what they did last year and pray for better thing for next year. I wish that next year they do not do the same.

yes, even i to thing the same way, peoples have make excuses that they are suffering from financial crises at this time, while when its comes to throwing grands parties on the occassion they usually come up with the lots of expenses. i don not understands at the time of partying harder they are not suffering from financial crises.