Are You Getting Your Bang For Your Buck?
Alexa Ehrlich | March 14th, 2011
From 2007 to 2011 American households have lived through the worst economic downturn, collapse, crash…since the Great Depression. The unluckiest suffered foreclosures on their homes, bankruptcy, and unemployment. So we have all had to change how we live, work, and play. We truly are a changed America.
A statistic that hits home with me because it was my situation before my recent employment is from 2008 to 2010, half a million Americans 21 and older had to move back in with their parents or other family members or friends. Even older relatives are moving in with their relatives because they retired early thinking they’d be okay or are recently unemployed and found they are unable to pay the bills.
So how have people avoided this? They have learned how to save more and spend less. Americans have learned the hard way, how to get the bang for their buck. Several day and night time TV shows now feature ways to save at the grocery store, at the pump, on home decoration, traveling, and when buying clothes. In 2010 Mac and Cheese sales were a little over 800 million dollars!
One cool way people have saved on groceries is by setting up a garden and shopping locally. From a very young age my parents have always taught me to spend my money locally with family businesses. And more and more Americans are starting to do this as well to save a few bucks.
Want to know another interesting fact? This is definitely one that is worrying me, more Americans are postponing life’s “big” decisions like marriage, having kids, going on that lifelong dream vacation. I’m 23 and definitely am ready to have a serious relationship in the next few years, but it looks like guys are running for the hills! People are thinking twice financially, before taking the leap into some of life’s bigger moments…understandable.
But all in all, my research found a warm hearted statistic saying that 50% of Americans who were polled, say the recession has helped them recognize the value of people over things! I’ll believe it when we all put our smart phones away… but for the record, I won’t be the first to do it!
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About the Author: Originally from Danville, Illinois, I received my Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism and Second Concentration in Gender Studies from Indiana University Bloomington in May 2010. I am now an aspiring Broadcast Journalist with great experience in the field, which I have obtained through various internships and with my involvement in IUSTV, the student produced news team at Indiana University.I am excited for new challenges and new learning experiences with each day in this field of work.I enjoy writing, volunteering in my local community, traveling, reading, and working out. I am eager to see where my degree will take me! For now I am so happy to have the opportunity to be contributing to SDZR.
