Are you doing your part for the economy?

[tvguy]

restaurants. Twice a week as always, but take out instead of dine in

movie theater- we go normally once a year, haven't been yet this year, not likely to happen still not safe, but three of the Regal cinemas here went belly up this week

tourism- I was in Phoenix in March for Spring training

airlines- Flew in March

things for the house- Waiting for an estimate for a section of kitchen floor damaged by a water leak, so above average there for the year.

taxi/Uber/ Lyft- nothing , never used them

bars- nothing from me but that’s normal.

Bought a new car, also had $1,500 body work on another car, so I think overall I am supporting the economy

 

[NannyBeBe]

I go to the grocery store, buy gas for my car, get take-out food.
I am not going to patronize a business just to keep it open if I do not need the services it provides.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Restaurants: when they were closed we did take out twice as much as we had eaten out prior to the closure because takeout was cheaper, and we tipped as though we were eating there. Now that restaurants are open, we are eating out about as frequently as we did pre closure. Mostly outside, but sometimes not, and primarily local places.

Travel: we did do a long weekend in a neighboring state in July, but legitimate travel is on hold for us until our state loosens quarantine requirements. We just can't miss that kind of time at work. We are day tripping around our state and into neighbor states on Sunday Funday, but I'm devastated thinking about the damage my not traveling is doing. And I don't even travel THAT much.

Uber and Lyft really aren't a thing here. And there is virtually nowhere I can fly without having to quarantine for 2 weeks upon my return so, sadly I'm not able to help the airlines right now.

Shopping: I'm consciously focusing on local stores and in person shopping to keep locals employed. I've put a big dent in my Christmas shopping already.

Movie theaters: The precautions are good, and I would go if new movies were actually playing. I'm not paying to see movies that I could stream at home. So not stimulating the movie theaters.

House stuff: we've bought a new stove, new loveseat, and are about to buy 2 new accent chairs.

And still put money in savings because...travel restrictions...

 

[Jennasis]

Ooh ooh! We did buy a new car.

 

[nycdisneygal]

restaurants: takeout 1-2 times per week. We ate out a few times. Tipped very well for takeout and eat in. Will be eating out / ordering in a lot this weekend when we head to NYC. Whenever we go we get food from our fave places. Bought a gift card for our babysitter from my fave bistro in NYC
This weekend, will eat out in NYC at a well-known place we like and I think the proceeds will go to restaurant staff who have been hit hard.
ordered stuff for cast member pantry ....

movie theater- no, but get drinks and snacks and popcorn from the theater to have at home movie nights

tourism- did 2 trips for 2 nights each . in my state. No plans except to same places next spring.

airlines- no. not yet. feel bad for the airline employees.

things for the house- Well we added a stone patio. that cost $$$. and then we bought furniture for it.

taxi/Uber/ Lyft- no, maybe this weekend in nyc.

bars- hahahahahaah

I do go to get my nails done -- and always tip well.

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This thread has me thinking about where I can spend my money to be able to help in a meaningful way...My income got hit in march through May but I am in a good position financially and can help where I can. Have been getting stuff for food banks whenever I get my grocery.

 

[Lizgistix]

restaurants - yes
movie theater- don't typically go to the movies
tourism- yes, I booked my 2 upcoming trips through Dreams Unlimited Travel instead of doing it myself
airlines- don't fly, don't see a need to fly
things for the house- yes, I've ordered things as needed and spend way too much on Amazon
taxi/Uber/ Lyft- just Uber Eats
bars- I drink at home

 

[TippyThomas]

I sold my RV and bought a house. I have spent all kinds of money on upgrades and upkeep so far which is way above what I have ever spent in my life. I did buy a new car as well so I can honestly say I am spending way more money now than I ever have in my life.

 

[AnnyMouse]

My spending hasn't really changed.

Those who say they are spending a lot less must have a lot more disposable income than I do.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

restaurants- We will order take out. We will not dine in.

movie theater- The last movie I saw in theatres was Sonic.

tourism- We made the mistake of going to a pumpkin patch this weekend. The first one we tried was too crowded and mask use was maybe 50%. Went to a smaller patch and felt safer.

airlines- Haven't flown in at least 5 years.

things for the house- Needed some new kitchen stuff this week. Been also doing some painting and other decorating.

taxi/Uber/ Lyft- Don't need one.

bars- I make my own mixed drinks at home.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

I need to do a better job. What about you?

restaurants. Mine is way down on the way it was before covid.

movie theater- haven’t seen a movie since they reopened in my area last month.With really nothing special didn’t feel like going.
regal going to close all its theaters in the USA on oct 8.

tourism- I’m doing ok here. Last month went to Hilton head. Dec going to wdw and universal.

airlines- flying in December for vacation

things for the house- need to do better. I did get a shed.

taxi/Uber/ Lyft- nothing from me so far but that’s normal.

bars- nothing from me but that’s normal.
we all must do what we can for the economy. i need to do better. So sad millions of people are out of a job

A very thought provoking argument! I've said so myself to my husband before, "I'm helping the economy" when I've bought something.

But, I do not feel it is my obligation what so ever to keep the economy going. The money coming into my household belongs to me(us) and we will see fit to how it's spent and saved.

My WDW 2020 vacation cancelled. Money saved about $8000.
Had a shed built in the backyard. $8000 plus spent
BIG landscaping project going on currently, some cosmetic and mostly grading and leveling to help with water drainage problems $12,000+

Bank account pretty much depleted.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

We try to only give our takeout business to our local places. Nobody in my family is traveling right now because we just don't feel safe doing so. I go to the local supermarket to shop for food and paper goods, but supplement at a big chain supermarket. I do go to Joann Fabrics, but also to a local fabric and craft shop close by to buy the stuff for my doll supplies when I can-I have had to go to Amazon for supplies I can't get anywhere else. My town doesn't have a movie theater.

Other than that, I don't see what else I can do...we are saving my late uncle's life insurance payout for repairs and painting and other things in preparation for selling the house, so other than my craft-type stuff we're not really spending our extra money, but saving it in case we need it down the road.

Oh! I have been buying Christmas presents online. I forgot. I would like to give local businesses a chance, but we don't have much around here in my small town but places to eat.

 

[low-key]

I am doing all kinds of stuff, but if you feel the need to stay ut n the house, I am more then alright with that, just so you dont make me do that same

 

[aprilgail]

Eating out in restaurants more and more each week- went out fri, sat, sun to dinner and today I had a work function at a gold course so ate breakfast lunch and dinner there.

movies are not open here yet.

taking Uber’s when I need them.

bar/clubs are finally “open” with rules-saw a band two weeks who but had to order food and stay seated but at least got to see a concert! Going again next week.

doing more and more things, going to places to take craft classes, escape rooms etc.

 

[hereyago]

Restaurants: fast food has cut down and I have been to one sit down place so far and have a need to go back Thursday lol

Movies: I wasn’t a big movie goer before, I had to really really want to see it when it first open for me to see a movie

Tourism: um no, but I work in the tourism industry and people from other states come to visit.

Bars: don’t have a need

My apartment building caught fire (thanks careless neighbor) right before July 4th and we literally had to buy everything again. So retail stores I truly contribute too lol.

 

[quandrea]

Not doing my part, but don’t care. More concerned with getting through this terrible time healthy and alive. My husband is high risk. He is my priority. No restaurants, no extra curriculars, no movies, no travel, no haircuts, not even buying new clothing since we aren’t going anywhere.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Many of my fb "friends" post about how selfish it is to go out and do things. I think when you have been able to work from home (like most of them have, so their finances haven't changed) its easy to cast stones at those who want restrictions lifted or encourage ppl to go out. When you watch everything you have worked for for the last 15 years go down the drains in 6 months, it's different.

Yeah I see these posts too, kinda gets to me mostly because there's an air of arrogance to many of them at least it seems that way.

I do want to say just because someone has been able to work from home doesn't mean their finances haven't changed, or that they feel the way you were describing. I've been fairly vocal about the economy part and my husband was able to work from home.

Even my husband's company who really doesn't like to let people go have already let go of over 40 people last month in our area and these were work from home people at that time; most were on the lower performance spectrum but some weren't, one guy was a lead with years of experience so that didn't come lightly. They didn't want to have to let go of people but they did at least try for the most part to just thin it down using performance for the most part. Power plant jobs were lean already this summer and it was severely curtailed with the pandemic getting new ones. The project my husband was on before the pandemic didn't even know if it would happen but thankfully it did. If it hadn't happened more people would have been let go.

So I would say that's the other side of the coin, someone may seem like they have a cushy job but during this pandemic it's affected so many industries. The most in your face is of course the restaurant and hospitality business but it affects the corporate ones too. And I would also say many of us saw dramatic hits to our 401Ks during the stock issues that is money we may never get back and it can be quite negative to people close to retiring. My mom was hit a wee bit less than us but she's also over 60, she doesn't have decades to earn that back like we do.

I sure hope you guys are able to make it I really do I hate hearing about the closures my local news covers from time to time, makes me just so sad

 

[penn19]

Casinos, yes. We got out to eat some. We save a lot more but also try and stimulate the economy the best we can

 

[wilbret]

The short answer is yes. I literally can't think of anything we haven't done that we would normally do. Travel. Shop. Eat. Recreate.
The only thing that is different is that I would normally fly a couple times per month for work, and haven't flown since March. I just drive now.
There aren't any movies in theaters I want to see, but I will happily and gladly go when something is playing.

 

[mumto3girls]

We definitely have spent way less than usual. We are small business owners who were impacted by the shutdown. We had enough work to get by (just barely) and now things are picking up almost overwhelmingly, but that’s a good thing. We cancelled our summer vacation and turned in our football season tickets (for a full refund and still able to keep out seats next year) and a few weekends away for our daughters’ volleyball teams were cancelled by their teams in the spring. Those things all saved us a considerable amount of money. We did do takeout more than usual (usually once a week, sometimes more) and tried to mostly patronize small locally owned places. My girls start back to in person school tomorrow and I did buy them some “back to school” clothes. We rarely go to the movies and don’t use ride services so no change there. We did go a long time without haircuts, but recently we all did that. No real home improvements—just some painting in the spring and a fair amount of “cleaning out” closets/basement etc. I did splurge a bit on food—with all 5 of us home a lot more through the summer and I bought a lot more snacks and treats.

We have a vacation planned for the end of the month and may do that. I am hesitant for a few reasons and money is one of them. We were also planning to do a kitchen remodel when Covid hit. I suspect we will postpone that until we are reasonably sure our business won’t be impacted again.

 

[barkley]

despite my local, state and the feds extending payment dates for certain items i'm paying them on the normal schedule. property taxes are being paid now vs. 3 months in the future, income taxes done last february vs. the extended dates so they have their cash in hand.

i'm not doing anything i didn't do pre covid, and am actually doing less. i'm a retiree on medicare and i figure that the better i keep myself from being exposed then the less chance i have of compromising my health which means i help the overall economy by virtue of reducing stress on the health industry and the taxpayers whose contributions support medicare.