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Subscribe to RSSIt’s no secret that Americans have cut back on spending over the past few years, as the recession and high unemployment have either eaten up our extra cash or caused us to rethink our free-spending ways.
Even now that the economy is in a slow recovery, a new poll from Harris Interactive shows that many Americans are continuing to pinch pennies in much the same way they did in June of 2009, the month the recession officially ended.
The poll of about 3,000 people, taken in October, asked Americans what money-saving techniques they’d used in the past six months. According to the poll:
- 62 percent of Americans are purchasing more generic brands, the same as in June of 2009
- 45 percent are bringing lunch instead of purchasing it, slightly less than in June of 2009
- 37 percent have switched to a refillable bottle instead of buying water, up from 33 percent in June of 2009.
- 22 percent have stopped purchasing coffee in the morning, up from 15 percent in June of 2009.
- 17 percent have canceled land-line phone service, up from 11 percent in June of 2009.
Readers, have you cut back on anything in the past six months?
Leave a Comment:
I have increased my intake of popcorn---The real stuff not microwave. Rather than eat out I now shop on payday (I only get paid 1x per month) and pick up a months worth of whatever frozen meals are on sale for lunch. I've cut out wine with dinner and after dinner aperitifs.
I've increaed my intake of fruits as a substitute for sweets. I'm a vegetarian so meat prices are not an issue. I walk more to save my gas for the commute.
I use the coupon book to eat out half price:
http://www.couponseek.net/coupons/restaurant_coupons/restaurant_coupons.php
There are coupons for many different restaurants and other activities as well. Maybe I would save money if I did not eat out at all. But eating half price makes it affordable and I get to try different restaurants. I get to take my wife out for dinner often too! And that is priceless :-)
I make a grocery list and only buy what we need to eat for the week, no junk food, soda, etc. I also shop at local grocery stores vs WalMart so I don't buy things I want (movies, new towels, holiday decorations, etc) but don't need. Have cut $25-50 dollars a week by doing this.
We only buy essentials like bread and milk. Then we spend a lot on cookies, candy, good coffee etc. You see we have our own beef and a big garden that supplies our food. Beans, beets, carrots, cauliflower, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage and more; all canned or frozen. The only beef we buy is to feed to the dog. Store beef isn't fit for human consumption.
Way to go! We didn't have a huge garden this year, but the tomatoes, peppers, carrots, beans and snap peas we did get were delicious!
Cable TV and land line....Why pay for a hundred channels when I only use 3 or 4 and why pay for two phones when I only use one.
Good deal Lisa - our landline may be the next thing to go. I just worry about 911 service, since if you can't talk, emergency responders can't always locate people on cell phones.
You can cut your land line and still get 911 service. I cut my land line years ago but still have a dial tone on the phone when I pick it up, only good for 911.
I can't cut my land line - I need it to locate my oft misplaced cell phone!
Oh how fashionable it has become to cut back these days. I sure haven't. In fact, now I spend more! I fortunate and was able to keep my job in the recession! Houses are cheap, food is cheap, gas is cheap! I couldn't have wished for a better time for everyone else to lose their jobs!
Except you still don't have any friends
Cut back on cable - only have channels 2-22. Best part about this is that the kids don't spend nearly as much time parked on the couch in front of the TV. Saved $50 a month!
Changed our internet to DSL - saved about $30 a month over cable.
I've been baking our own bread and making our own cereal - nice thing about this is that house smells great when I'm making it, it's cheaper AND healthier than store-bought bread PLUS the kids LOVE it. What's not to like?
We almost never eat out, and when we do, we buy off the dollar menu, then bring it home and provide our own drinks.
We also stopped buying prepared meals, and now make almost every meal from scratch. The beauty of this is that we have almost no leftovers (if desired), or plenty of leftovers to freeze/refrigerate. And not only is it healthier (less salt, no corn syrup, fat content at what WE specify), it also costs less, tastes wonderful, and gives us more variety in our meals.
It's odd to think about, but the recession has actually made us healthier and more productive, even if we have less money.
Stopped subscribing to the local newspaper - Columbus Dispatch. Weekday copies are available in the lunch room at work. Sunday copies I skip or buy for $1.00 (1/2 price) at a Discount Drug Mart. Everyday subscription got up to almost $400 per year which was ridiculous.
Instead of eating a full dinner, I have resorted to enjoying smoothies for dinner while moving my biggest meal of the day for lunch at 2PM. These changes along with walking 4-6 miles/day has allowed me to shed 20 lbs and have saved $50/week on the food budget.
We cancelled the premium channels on our cable and subscribed to Netflix which saves about $60 per month. Also switched cell phone provider from AT&T to MetroPCS which has given a significant savings. $40 per month for unlimited calling, text and web....can't beat that.
Let's see...I've cut back on voting for pols who want to cut back on Social Security, I've cut back on reading articles about cutting back, I've cut out my membership in AARP, since all they talk about is how bad it is for seniors. If you take care of your business, you shouldn't have to cut back on anything. Damn sure haven't cut back on fried food, beer, and all the things I'm supposed to cut back on. Get a life!
When I was growing up in the fifties watching every penny, buying only what you really need, walking to the store, etc. was what most people did just to get by. Life was a little slower and more enjoyable then.
We have been doing all this for the last 15 years. Except for the land line.
I am afraid to cut it. But otherwise, I do not see how we can save more...
I only go to the early movie for $6.00 (if I go at all). I too recall the 60's and 70's when it was not such a rat race. Now it's faster, cheaper, go, go , go, go, !!!!!!!!!! Honk honk!!!!!!!!!! Get outta my way!
Find the grocery stores that double coupons (up to $.50). And don't be afraid to to use the expired ones-they still fly. Either cut off the date of expiration or profile for the young, gullible check out clerk who will scan anything. Just put a majority of your non expired coupons on top. These clerks are like casino workers, burnt out, tired, and will scan just about anything.
make that brewing the coffee and bringing the lunch. that's me. brew my own. gotta have the caffeine.
We are more carful on grocery shopping. If we go out to eat it is often for items off special menus that cost less and we usually bring home food as well. We cut our land line phone. I make clothes and shoes last a long time and only buy new at reduced prices and only buy when really necessary. We take few trips and those we do take are short duration and closer to home. We're retired so the few times we go to the show we go during a week day at reduced prices. I curse politicians and their corporate sponsors as a hobby and that is free. I'm sure my wife and I will find other ways to cut back. Being retired and not rich we had better do that as much as we can.
If you need cahs immediately then answer is payday loan because The application process for payday loan is very simple. You just have to fill out and submit a simple online application form. You do not even need to give a personal visit to the lender, in order to apply, the best place I have always used is "Nimble Payday" they are fast and easy to use
JohnGalt$
Spoken like a true Republican!
With gas prices on the rise again, we are reducing our driving. As they fell with the rest of the economy, we returned to some bad habits. This time the changes will stick. I wish they'd hurry up with affordable electric cars that use alternative energy.
All you people out there who want to save on cable premium channels or paying for movie rentals, try your local library. I live in Ocean County, NJ and their library system has a fantastic amount of premium movies of all ratings, and there is no charge. They get many of the first run movies as soon as they are released on dvd or blue ray. You may have to wait in line to get many of the prime releases, but they almost always have many copies of the popular ones and in a short while, you will get it. You have access to their online catalog. You reserve your selections and they will email you when you can pick it up at the library. Try it, it's FREE!
We potty trained our little guy much earlier than we would have to save on diapers. We make our lunch at work and end up feeding 5 of us for less money than 2 eating out every day. We have cut our water bill in half by watering less.
Kristi4g...try the "un-bathing" movement...instead of showering or bathing every day...take a shower/bath every 2nd day and on the no-shower/bath day...wash off using a sink full of water and a little good quality soap with lotion...you will feel just as fresh and save on the costs of water and sewer charges.
I am getting a good chuckle from this. See, my family and I have been doing all these things right along. We shop at the bump and dented can store, have a small garden and many other frugal things you all mentioned. MAYBE ?? that is why we have money in the bank, my 401K's are good. We have no car payments or balances on our credit cards AND our credit score is 820. My son who is 25 has a credit score of 780 and just bought his 1st home. Teach your children as I was taught by my parents. The most important thing you can do ! We have heat, a home and our health. What more do you need ?? It's a great day.
Well Bob in Vt, it looks like you have done it right. My personal favorite saying is "To have more, Desire less". I have found that I'm much happier controlling my things instead of them controlling me.
Thank You Yellow dog
The people I work with for years now chuckle when I come in carrying my Igloo cooler. I have leftovers frozen from the week before ( MMMM mac and cheese today ) Cookies my wife made. Corn muffins we make together every weekend. Fresh Homemade bread. They all look and are jealous. I just think of the wonderful food I have and the many many dollars I have saved over 28 years of doing this. It is really not that hard to do. I believe everyone should take a step back and try to realize what is important to you or your family. I feel bad for these folks who are stuggling but I must say the ones near me just try to live WAY beyond their means. My next door neighbor just had his 30,000 dollar 5th wheel repossessed. Has not moved out of his yard in 3 years. Why ?? could not afford to take the time off because he had to try and keep up the payments. Come on ??? Why do people do this? Why create the stress? Strange, Very Strange. And I am supposed to feel bad for him? Hard to do. The one across the street has 1\3 an acre of land and a $25,000 Kubota tractor with a 54 inch deck. Snow blower,back hoe, front bucket. Looks like he is going to lose that. What is it with these folks?
I did cry when that dog died though. Sad Movie :-)
Well Bob in Vt,
When I starting working at my current employment 6 yrs ago, all of the guys in the office went out to lunch just about every day. I brought my lunch just like I've done for almost 40 years. Over about a six month period one by one they stopped going out to lunch and started bringing theirs also. I guess they just needed an old fart to break the paradigm.
However I really do feel sad for those who get themselves into financial trouble, since it can tear families apart and have serious detrimental affects on the children.
How true Yellow Dog. Sad indeed and really no need for it. So you had some luck getting people to carry a lunch? Good for you ! After I read your note I got to thinking about the people in my company who bring lunch and guess what I realized ! The people who bring a lunch are the ones who I know are not jacked up on debt and all stressed out. Amazing ! I wonder why? Hmmmm.
Have a great day ! It is beautiful and sunny here in Vt.
Bob, Vt is a very beautiful state. My wife and I were visiting there two years ago and just loved it. It is pretty nice here in the Ozarks also, now that the rain has cleared out.