Opinion

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December 12, 2010

Have the tight economic times affected the amount of money you will spend on holiday shopping?

‘Yes’ Responses

I think that I should spend a whole lot of money that I don’t have in order to emulate the federal government — if it can spend its way to prosperity, why shouldn’t I be able to do it, also?

Franklin Williams, 27107

The question answers the question.

Robert O. Dockery, 27106

Can anyone answer no to this question? It’s getting worse every year. Buy gifts or medicine — make the family resent me for ignoring their children or let my blood pressure go out of control. Impossible choice. I love those kids.

Delaine Weddle, 27127

You can’t spend money you don’t have.

Diane Shore, 27023

I am making many of my gifts this year.

Kay Anderson, 27103

My money needs to go to put gas in my car.

Sandy Tysinger, 27040

Yes. ’Tis the season to save.

Lisa Robertson, 27021

You can’t spend what you don’t have.

Jeff Jessup, 27030

Absolutely — cash only.

Jan Blevins, 27012

Definitely. No going into debt just for the holidays.

Dave Kleylein Sr., 27019

With gas going up, you can’t afford buying as much as you want. Now I send Christmas cards.

Amy Reece, 27011

Gas prices are going up, unemployment is way up, I can’t help but say yes, and the government is no help.

John Lambeth, 27106

If you don’t have it, you can’t spend it. That makes sense to everyone but our government.

Terry L. Wooten Sr., 27105

Gold is too expensive. Frankincense and myrrh, I still buy.

Louis Allen, 27103

I always try to be sensible about spending and I will probably be even more so this season.

Roger Nichols, 27284

Even though we know spending will help the economy, we still have to watch out for our household first, so we have cut back and tried to stretch our dollars farther.

Kyle Eubanks, 27021

I have cut back a great deal. I’m sure the kids and grandkids will notice.

Jane Hauser, 27050

I will definitely be cutting back and I am shopping at small stores to support the local economy rather than the big-box stores.

Suzanne Carroll, 27012

Yes, because I am on Social Security and don’t draw a lot anyway, but I thank God for what I have, anyway.

Linda Tee, 27105

This year we are staying home and only shopping for our own children, nieces and nephews. Their smiles will be enough for us.

Kevin Watson, 27103

Tight economic times have limited the amount I spend on holiday shopping for two years now.

Jeffery Bauguss, 28659

I don’t buy junk made in China unless I have to. It would be nice to have some “Made in USA” products on the market.

W.F. Horton, 27127

Until the economy improves, I’ve had to cut back more than usual.

William Sams, 27021

Yes Virginia, the Great Recession still persists, and Santa Claus has lightened his sleigh according.

Tammy Black, 27104

We are also redirecting much of our spending to assist those whose lives have been devastated by this orchestrated recession.

Elaine Van Auken, 27006

We have decided to give fellowship instead of gifts. All in all, I anticipate a much more meaningful Christmas than the gift gluttony of the past.

Ken Whapham, 27127

I am making more gifts and trying to spend less on each person this year. I’m working on more personal, handmade presents rather than large manufactured ones.

Sarah Shoaf, 27101

We have the same bills and much less money coming in, so there is less to spend on holiday shopping.

Walt Wilson, 27295

As most consumers reflect on the economy, I feel sure that a sensible attitude will accompany holiday spending. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to make a gift of time and self.

Sheila Hester, 27009

We intend to use no credit cards and only pay cash. Gifts will be fewer, smaller in price and oriented to necessities like clothes and shoes. No jewelry, electronics or toys.

Peter Couture, 27284

I have to save up to pay my mysteriously expanded property taxes.

Larry Trivette, 28676

Absolutely. However, that is not entirely bad. With hope, I will focus on what is important about the holidays.

Ted Williams, 27292

With my husband not receiving a cost-of-living raise nor his usual Christmas bonus this year, I definitely had to scale down as much as possible. It was hard with a child and a grandchild, but I cut corners, found sales, etc. and made it in under last year’s budget.

Anne Hodges, 27127

Yes it has. The economy has not made a super recovery in a rewarding way that prompts me to go on a spending spree. I’m already struggling to get 40 hours a week and everything, but wages are on the rise. Look at gas prices, just for one item. We all know the fourth quarter and the first quarter of the year offers no jobs.

Rudy Hill Sr., 27105

Yes. My husband has been unemployed for over two years and his unemployment benefits ran out. This not only impacts Christmas — but mainly how we spend on groceries and basic living necessities.

Wendi Redding, 27021

Absolutely — the people who used to get gifts from me are getting a “Merry Christmas” from me — and I know several more people who are doing the same.

Philip Collins, 27284

I will spend less.

Irene Phillips, 27103

More important, it has affected what we intend to buy. Those decisions will be influenced by need over want.

Bowman Gray, 27104

I’m getting $250 from Medicare. Les bon temp rouler.

Michael Adams, 27040

It can be expensive trying to raise a family in this day and age, plus you realize that there are others less fortunate than you as well.

Ben Curti, 27012

Less money equals less to spend.

Tom Sanders, 27284

My family donates any money for gifts to a charity of the recipient’s choice, but this year the amounts donated will be smaller than in years past.

David Frederick, 27018

Not just holiday shopping — I don’t spend as much on groceries, I don’t drive as much so I won’t have to spend on gas, I work more hours because I need the pay. The economy has affected everything I do.

Linda Diorio, 27103

Not knowing when the economy is going to pick up, we are being very frugal.

Richard Winkler, 27041

Probably a little, but impending retirement is the major impetus to spend cautiously.

Margaret Smith, 27101

Sure it does. The cost of food, gas, electricity and anything else necessary to purchase is rising. Buy only what is needed until Washington comes to its senses and does what is right for our country. If that ever happens. In God we trust.

Joe Huff, 27011

That’s the plan, unfortunately for the recovery.

John K. Motsinger Sr., 27051

The financial shock of a child going off to college in this economic climate has hit hard. I will probably spend my Christmas money on tuition.

Matt Shaw, 27101

As a small-business owner, I have had to eliminate all unnecessary purchases in order to make ends meet. No Christmas presents will be bought this year for nieces and nephews.

Bobbie Barron, 27103

The tight times have affected our everyday spending, not just holiday spending.

Linda R. Hill, 27104

 ‘No’ Responses

We will probably spend more this year. Weddings and new babies have increased the size of our family — and the scope of our blessings.

Kathleen Rohde, 27106

I am not a big-time shopper. There will not be any change.

Dorothy Bruce, 27106

My wife handles that and I believe that all will remain the same as last year, but it could be more.

Walt Weber, 27040

I never spent a whole lot on the commercialization of Christmas when times were good.

Steve Barneycastle, 27028

We “do” Christmas well every year. But we don’t actually add up what we spend. We just shop until we have “enough.”

Helen Losse, 27106

The thought-process maturation, however, has significantly impacted Christmas shopping and focused more on helping those less fortunate.

Matthew Young, 27055

Holiday shopping was distasteful in flush times and seems all but obscene in these lean times.

Guy Neal Williams, 27106

I do not buy extravagant things. I am a good shopper, but if I see something within reason that I want for someone else or myself, I buy it and feel no guilt.

Mary Greene, 27052

I have always been frugal and this year is no different.

C.J. Denny, 27107

We have always have been fiscally conservative, in good times and tough times.

Jim Waters, 27006

I have always tried to avoid the commercial Christmas.

Ken Hoglund, 27012

Not a bit. Indeed, private enterprise needs our support more than ever. So do the crisis ministries of our community. We are increasing our spending in both areas.

Patsy Wilson, 27127

I never “holiday” shop.

Gracia M. Littauer, 27014

I set up a holiday saving account years ago. Actually, I’ll be spending a little more this year.

Lisa McManus, 27106

I shop year round for gifts, sales item here and clearance item there. This way I can get quality gifts at a great price (Christmas and birthday). I always make an effort to be complete before Thanksgiving. Black Friday is the day I put up the tree and wrap all the gifts.

Michelle Davis, 27127

I will not spend next year paying off this year’s Christmas.

Tom Moser, 27055

My economic situation has improved from last year.

Mark Haynes, 27284

It’s Christmas. You work it out.

Steve Lawson, 27009

I’ve always tried to be reasonable about the money I spend on gift-giving. The true meaning of Christmas is far more important.

Cary Stevens, 27104

I’ve spent about the same amount over the past two or three years, regardless of changes in the economy.

James Brooks, 28659

Our family only gives gifts to children in school. This started several years ago when the economy first went down, and just like the economy, we have never fully recovered.

Eric Rogers, 28659

Retailers depend on shoppers to support them, and Xmas shopping is the “make or break” event for them. I do not want to see stores that I like go under. I will continue to spend the same amount for gifts, even though it may be somewhat harder to do this year.

Fred Deweese, 27030

However, I started planning and putting aside money for Christmas a few months ago so everything I purchase will not be put on a charge card.

Karen Holder, 27284

If I can’t pay cash for holiday shopping, it won’t get bought. I did prepare by having savings for the holiday shopping season.

Mark Witmer, 27040

The older I get, the more I spend on needs and not wants. I knew, the way times are, this was a good decision.

Elizabeth Ervin, 27101

I cut back several years ago and have not changed my spending since.

Lee Blakney, 27106

Speak Out Now is an e-mail opinion poll and not a scientific survey. The responses are drawn from readers who have registered to participate. Readers can register by going to the Opinion section at journalnow.com and clicking on Speak Out Now.

There were 159 responses to this week’s survey.