[BeatleManU]

Are you cutting back this year during the holidays in terms of spending for holiday food, travel and presents? I certainly am, times are hard, I was wondering if any of you are being hit hard in the wallet? I know in the US gas prices have dropped, but that's about it. How are things in your neck of the woods???

[jbolte1976]

As far as my family goes we are watching what we spend. Things have gotten a little tighter, not due to the economy disaster but we just had a baby and I've had some costly medical bills (even with insurance).

I live in North Dakota and as far as the local economy is going, things are going pretty well. We didn't see the huge boom in the economy like the rest of the states but on the flip side we aren't seeing the bottom drop out either.

I have a pretty secure job (I think, lol) but the thought of that going away is always scary.

We were seeing our budget tighten up with near $4 gas so gas getting back to $1.70 is some nice relief.

My long term goal is to generate some 2nd income from Internet Marketing so I'm working hard at that and have some goals for '09.

Either way I'm a pretty optimistic person so I try to always think "half full", know what I mean?

Jason

[Jeffery]

No, not at all.

It depends on your profession. Some professions are in high demand and the income is boostable. In my profession that means I can boost my income almost anytime. So if the economy or cost of doing business rises all I need to do is work a little harder, a lot more smarter, and maybe add to my staff.

Jeffery 100% :-)

[Synister]

No, I haven't been cutting back, nor do I feel the need to. Not yet anyways.

[stacyfox]

I spent less this holiday. I don't have kids and my husband and I have never given each other gifts (well, we did the first year and decided never again), so all of our presents are for relatives. Usually, we spend about $500 total (which I know is getting off cheap.) This year, we cut that in half, spending about $250. Part of that was because of a dip in our own income (my husband is shutting down his offline business preparing to go back to school) and part of it was a general "recession mentality" that said "times are tough, why spend?" I think the nieces and nephews were just as happy with what they got than they have been in years past and the adults care more about the sentiment than the amount of money spent. At least that's my take.

Stacy

[aakay4u]

Originally Posted by BeatleManU

Are you cutting back this year during the holidays in terms of spending for holiday food, travel and presents? I certainly am, times are hard, I was wondering if any of you are being hit hard in the wallet? I know in the US gas prices have dropped, but that's about it. How are things in your neck of the woods???

Yes definitely situation is little more tighter for me too since past few months and have cut down few expenditures like eating outside,earlier it was once or more every week and now it's just once in a month.Just made a list of few unnecessary things i spend money on and will implement cutting down on them too.

[venom424]

Well holidays are over, but yes I cut down spending during the holidays.

It's January, and I continue to try to cut down on my expenses. I try to brown bag my lunch, and either eat cheap fast food or eat at home for dinner. I recently started recycling my bottles and cans for their redemption value too (I live in Cali).

I think everyone is afraid of losing their jobs. Also, there's the feeling that the worst of the recession is yet to come, and that makes everyone uneasy. I think most people are tightening their wallets.

[buffalo]

I never spent much for the holidays anyway. I like to emphasis that it's not about the gifts, and I am cheap too.

I've never been much of a spender, so I guess that I haven't really cut back much there. But I am always looking for money making opportunities so that I don't have to worry as much about meeting expenses.

[Koustepi]

I'm with buffalo on this one. Christmas is just over commercialized. I do buy gifts of course, but I'm always careful with my budget and I don't have kids. So, there was no need to spend less this year, since I never spend too much anyway (usually about $200, give or take).

[aryaman2008]

Originally Posted by BeatleManU

Are you cutting back this year during the holidays in terms of spending for holiday food, travel and presents? I certainly am, times are hard, I was wondering if any of you are being hit hard in the wallet? I know in the US gas prices have dropped, but that's about it. How are things in your neck of the woods???

The situation is frankly not so rosy since the recession.Lot's of people have been cutting down the useless or avoidable expenditures.Even i think twice before doing something if expenses are involved.The wallet has been really hit very hard in recent months and can't afford the luxury which i used to.However,let's hope that the situation gets better soon.

[alwayshopeful]

We certainly spent less this year on presents for the family, we opted for getting personalized, hand made glass ornaments for everyone. In total it only cost us around 60 dollars for everyone instead of spending 40 per couple, which is our normal amount. We spent less on our children and our neices and nephews but mainly because we were really strict about buying stuff on sale. In the end it worked out a little nicer because we (hubby and I) were actually able to afford some presents for each other this year, nothing big but something none the less!

[yasha1]

Yes, we are spending less money on watching movies in theater and we do not visit restaurents right now and saving some money for my bills. We have not visited mall since 6 months. And we spend less on our groceries and bought only essential foods. This recession really turn us down. I am waiting for the day when we all get rid off reccession and we will live life happy.