Are You Buying Less Because Of The Current Economy ?

[livnxxxl]

I have not really found myself cutting back on anything, but I still try and do what is just plain smart. Just everday common sense things. I never did like to be just wasteful. Other common sense things like consolidating trips, buying more on line and buying more at a time when I do buy online to once again consolidate and save on shipping charges. Also I have been pondering the idea of trading in my Viper for a brand new Vette for a little while now. With the crunch of the economy all around I am waiting for the car dealerships to start hurting some. Which of course I do not believe that they are hurting in the least right now even as the economy continues to go south so to speak. I have pretty much decided to wait it out unless the car companies start lowering prices. After all I can go and buy the Vette at retail price any day of the week. So there is really nothing to be gained by doing so. In other words I am waiting for a deal just like the rest of us. I do not have to absolutley have the Vette right this very moment. I am still fine with my Viper for the time being. If a real deal should come along I would not hesitate to swoop up on it. After all this is and has been for some time now a buyers market. I am just going to sit back and see how it all plays out.

[Adam West]

I don't think you will see Chevy cutting prices on Corvettes to move inventory. Too much brand image at stake. They'll simply cut production down to meet demand without cutting prices....I have never been in the market for a Corvette even though I always wanted one as a kid but I don't think I have ever seen a local dealership having a sale to blow out excess inventory on Vettes. Aren't they pretty much custom made anyway? In other words, I think they might keep a few on a lot just to test drive but you really have to order one and wait.

That's how I think Harley Davidson handles their motorcycles. You don't just walk in and buy one off the lot. You customize it to your wants and then wait.

[Cosmicman]

I had cut back a lot in the last year. Having recently won a great chunk of money in a settlement has helped me to get back on the ball otherwise I probably would be living pretty cheap right now with the way things are.

[livnxxxl]

I don't think you will see Chevy cutting prices on Corvettes to move inventory. Too much brand image at stake. They'll simply cut production down to meet demand without cutting prices....I have never been in the market for a Corvette even though I always wanted one as a kid but I don't think I have ever seen a local dealership having a sale to blow out excess inventory on Vettes. Aren't they pretty much custom made anyway? In other words, I think they might keep a few on a lot just to test drive but you really have to order one and wait.

That's how I think Harley Davidson handles their motorcycles. You don't just walk in and buy one off the lot. You customize it to your wants and then wait.

I agree. Wishful thinking on my part. Times are not hard enough for the dealerships YET. I can wait to buy. How long will they be able to wait to sell is the question?

[wayne foundation 07]

My wife is a coupon queen she cuts snips and compares.Her frugleness saves us a lot.Living smarter means sometimes means living better.We've got a price list of the normal household items we take with us when we go shopping so we know what stores are selling stuff cheaper.

[mego73]

Makes me wonder ......

Why, back in the 70's did we have a "gas shortage"

Today, it's not a shortage --- gas is just priced nutty high

What's their explanation for this ?

With all this crap going on, I haven't bought one FUN thing for months

All I want to know is WHY ?

When it is forbidden to tap 80 plus percent of the proven oil reserves we have in this country and the fact we haven't built a refinery in 30 years you don't have to be a student of supply and demand to put it all together.

It is about shortage, a one at the behest of certain organizations who stand in the way of what is needed to keep oil and gas going at less painful prices.

[nvmbrsdoom5]

Yeah I've definitely cut way back on spending on collectibles as well as just general "fun" stuff. I'm usually on a tight budget anyhow but now with gas prices and food prices going up.....I've been trying to sell things on Ebay lately as a means of not only having extra to pay bills but also to use for "fun items" spending money. But Ebay has been a pain in the butt lately too, so bleh.

[Mikey]

Yeah I've definitely cut way back on spending on collectibles as well as just general "fun" stuff. I'm usually on a tight budget anyhow but now with gas prices and food prices going up.....I've been trying to sell things on Ebay lately as a means of not only having extra to pay bills but also to use for "fun items" spending money. But Ebay has been a pain in the butt lately too, so bleh.

Very true,
It's like we're getting it from all sides today.

[livnxxxl]

Very true,
It's like we're getting it from all sides today.

It really seems to be a no win situation for the working man. I cannot help but wonder how the younger kids/adults are making it on what little money that is made working at fast food joints. Thanks to the price of gas going up everyone here is paying more for everything whether you have a ton of money or not. We all pay the same prices.

[misterdroid]

I don't know how bad things really are... I am on target for one of the better years in recent memory and I live on others disposable income... so I can't really judge how the current economic wind blows. Yeah, gas prices are high, and are driving up consumer costs across the board. But I took home almost $33,000 in the first four months of this year. Thats REALLY good for me. Usually I make about 45/50k in a year. Also, I don't own a car, buy gas, pay car insurance, have a bank payment for the car etc.
So... no... my spending has not been affected. I have in fact been on sort of a Johnny West bender. I think I have spent more this quarter than usual.

[mego73]

I don't know how bad things really are... I am on target for one of the better years in recent memory and I live on others disposable income... so I can't really judge how the current economic wind blows. Yeah, gas prices are high, and are driving up consumer costs across the board. But I took home almost $33,000 in the first four months of this year. Thats REALLY good for me. Usually I make about 45/50k in a year. Also, I don't own a car, buy gas, pay car insurance, have a bank payment for the car etc.
So... no... my spending has not been affected. I have in fact been on sort of a Johnny West bender. I think I have spent more this quarter than usual.

It really is a testament to the strength of the American economy that high fuel prices are not crushing it. Growth has been slowed but it is still growth. Yes, it is causing pain and the stats do not matter to those that are really feeling the pinch but I am surprised we are not in a recession (a real recession, meaning 2 quarters of negative growth, not the supposed one that some think we are in). I'm hoping we can get through this without an actual recession as reduced growth and high energy prices are indeed causing enough pain.