If so, read on.
A reporter for a major news organization is working on a story about how shoppers are starting to crawl back to some of their favorite major brands (food, clothing etc) and stores as they no longer are panic-stricken about the economy. She would like to speak to shoppers who had adopted extreme measures during the bottom of the recession _ buying only store label items or making their own detergent, only buying when you had a coupon _ and now are starting to ease up a bit.
Perhaps you’re going back to buying  a shirt at Abercrombie for your son or you just  bought something full price. Or you are going back to a major brand in toothpaste after trying out the grocer’s store brand. She would love to hear from you.. Please email her at adinnocenzio@ap.org by Wednesday, 5 p.m. EST. Thanks so much.
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Nope – not me. Don’t think my spending habits have changed much in the past 30 years or so :) Except I don’t worry about debt any more :)
absolutely NOT. I have no intention of going back to the old ways. The new ones are not only much better for our budget, they are also a lot of fun! I get to be very creative, and I am not the type to buy expensive when gently used (or even, in some cases, not so gently-used) will meet our needs just as well.
I have admit after doing the Eat From the Pantry Challenge in January I def. spent more in February then I usually do, but I’ve also found amazing deals in February. Plus we’re getting back more from our tax return then we expected so we treated ourselves to a non-necessity, but something we enjoy. Like I bought $200 in food from Omaha Steaks as a treat to our family and only spent $75 on it plus $19 in shipping. Def. not the norm for us, but we love Veal and it’s next to impossible to find here. So I bought $45 just in breaded veal patties, but got more than $100 worth of steaks for pennies. So yes, maybe a few of us are spending a little more, but tax return season always has people treating themselves to a few luxuries. The rest of our tax return will go to paying for our son’s hockey dues in July and the rest (about $800 worth) will go towards credit card debt. We’re not spending unwisely in my opinion, but maybe differently then a year ago. I still grocery shopped at two stores over the weekend and bought only what was on sale or free with coupon. It’s a give and take for many of us. You splurge a little here, but you make up for it by not eating out the next night or whatever works for your budget…
Just the opposite. I’m becoming more frugal as we approach a full year of unemployment. Our savings is dwindling, unemployment payments are ceasing and cost continue to climb for necessities.
I’m sorry to hear about your situation. Just wondering if you know about some freebie websites. I check them daily.
1. Hey It’s Free.com and once you get in there there are several websites listed under the Cool Websites heading. I get everyday essentials there. Blessings for a better year.
I think I’m more frugal now than before because we’re expecting another baby and because the prices of things keeping going up while my husband’s salary stays the same!
Our frugality did not change from a year ago. My husband had been unemployed since May 2008 and finally found part time employment in Nov. 2009. He hasn’t worked for them since January 2010 due to a cut in hours so, we’ve been back to square one ever since. I can’t afford to go back to my wasteful ways, especially since I pay an extra $200 a month on health insurance through my work. Even if my husband does finally gets a great paying, full time job, I will keep my frugal ways.
My husband is looser with his spending these days but I’m still scared about the economy, so my wallet is locked tight!
My family and I are trying harder to maintain our levels of frugality and perhaps even trying to increase them – I have found that trying to spend less has been a bit fun for me (I would have never thought that someday I’d feel this way since I had always wanted to “keep up” with the Joneses while growing up- but NO MORE – Yay!). For those who are out of work right now, keep the faith. I have been in your shoes and know how difficult it is. I include all of you in my prayers and hope a new, better job is around the corner.
Great topic–although I realize you’re just doing research. The question of frugal fatigue is of serious interest to me. I hope you’ll let us know what your friend learns.
Sadly i think it is true, people will forget about being economical and slip back to their old spending ways. Although i think this time it will come back and bite them in the behind a lot sooner.
Frugal fatique is not a term I’ve heard before – interesting concept.
I’ve been frugal probably since birth – so I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such a thing.
For me, spending money is tiring – not being frugal :)
Guess it’s a mindset.
I would say more frugal. I’m thinking more about money before I spend it – which didn’t happen a year ago. If I wanted it, I just charged it. I told myself as long as I can pay the bill in full; it was okay. Today, I rarely use my credit card. I get a set amount of money out of the bank once a month and when that is gone; I have to wait until next month. I am also eating out of the freezer and pantry more – no more just stopping at the store for ‘a few items’ and leaving with a full cart. The result is more money in my bank – and that is a good thing.
Thank you, Lynnae and all your wonderful posters.
I’m about the same as I was a year ago. Always been fairly frugal, but got more serious about it as time went by. Came to realize that ‘stuff’ did not make me happier. Plus, I’ve got all that I need now.
No, because I had a job a year ago, and don’t have one now.
However, I’m not doing without, and have not cut back tremendously. I’ve been out of debt a long, long time, with a large emergency fund – just for times like these.