Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 15 > Entry
What have you given up?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In good times, we trade up.
In bad times, we trade down…or quit trading at all.
Maybe that means a home dye job instead of the highlights at the salon. The store brand groceries over the name-brand. A nice detail job on an old car we would’ve replaced, the home whitening kit on our teeth, last season’s jeans, a bit faded and saggy, but good enough to wear till we can buy the good ones again.
Maybe, just maybe, we’ll find that we can do without?
With gasoline and utility costs up, uncertainty on the stock market, growing unemployment rates and scary news about housing costs, how are you changing your habits? What seems like a luxury now, and what does it feel like to give it up? How do you get around it, and how does it compare to what you used to do?
If you’ve got a story or tips to share, e-mail reporter Jamie Gumbrecht at jgumbrecht@ajc.com. She might contact you for a story.
Comments
By ron
October 15, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
I’ve said this a hundred times in the last year:if I can’t eat it,I don’t buy it.There are a few purchases that are absolutely necessary to make and I make them,but they have to meet the test,Can I get by without it?Is there another way to get around this?If not I have to purchase,but only if necessary.
One purchase I did make was an electronic device that records power used by appliances.It cost $17 and has already paid for itself in electrical bill savings.These savings will continue now for years.
By steve weeks
October 15, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Now is the time to spend, it will help us all.
By Debora
October 15, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Highlights, teeth whitening, decent clothing, gym membership. Why is personal hygiene the first to go? When this is all over some of you are going to look like the people I pass everday on Ponce. And why is “women’s” things that are going to the wayside? Does he really need that latest gadget, electronic device, do-dah for his car?
Next year’s blog: the economy caused me to look like an old wrinkled fat skank. My husband left me for the gal who put herself first and took care of herself during the bad times.
By Carri
October 15, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
Debora, you are exactly right! Hilarious! My husband and I just bought a 30 ft travel trailer a couple of weeks ago and plan to go camping every chance we get. We have always rented a travel trailer in the past for our annual Thanksgiving camping trip to Florida with several families that my husband grew up with. We decided since sales were really good right now it was the time to buy. We call it our “vacation home”.:) We are even happier now that gas prices are falling! We are also thankful that we are both employed and the companies we work for are doing well in this economy.
By H from Marietta
October 15, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
Lunch is ramen and cut-up hotdogs! Dinner is fishheads and rice! Breakfast is… What’s breakfast?
Obama likes change, which will be all we have after he’s elected!
McCain’s still looking around aimlessly for that camera at the debate…
Who should we vote for?
By H from Marietta
October 15, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
Lunch is ramen and cut-up hotdogs! Dinner is fishheads and rice! Breakfast is… What’s breakfast?
Obama likes change, which will be all we have after he’s elected!
McCain’s still looking around aimlessly for that camera at the debate…
Who should we vote for?
By JCH
October 15, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Obama likes change, which will be all we have after he’s elected!
Excellent statement H !!!