Recession over Soon

Davesnave

We are all of an age where Christmas costs less. Everyone wants things that are inappropriate, like cars, chain saws or sofas, while nobody really needs any more socks or perfume. As a result, we just buy better quality food & drink, plus a few little presents.

I have no idea how busy it is in town today, but it was heaving on Thursday, which was late night shopping, boosted by the M&S 20% sale that was in Martin's newsletter.

A few years ago, when money was tight., I'd always hang out in the supermarket on Christmas Eve waiting for the last minute reductions. It was a high-risk strategy, but we never lost out. One year, I returned with a turkey, a goose, a salmon and a couple of ducks all for £20. Nearly took us through till Easter!

In some ways I miss the clandestine late night trips down the motorway to 'Toy R Us,' but if I'm truthful, not a lot!

SingleSue

Our Christmas lists of old have been pared down...it was not unusual for my (now ex) hubby to put things like Xbox or posh watches on his, I usually struggled to think of anything.

I would generally spend around the £100 or more on him, he would spend way more than that on me and each child had about £60-£80 spent on them, my parents and his mum had about £40-50 each spent on them, my sister (and husband) and brother (and wife) had about £20 each and any nieces and nephews had around £20 each.

Now though, I have a top limit of £15 per child for my children, nieces and nephews is upto £5 each, as does my ex mother in law and my parents,brother and sister get around £6 each (cheaper if I can get it via deals).

I have also stopped cooking a dinner on the Boxing day (we used to have my lot plus mother in law and a family friend round) and I no longer drink at Christmas so I can save the taxi fare home by driving.

I do have one splurge though.....I took the children to the local Christmas pantomime last boxing day and I am planning to do the same this year (and I mean local, not the big one up the road which costs an arm and a leg!)

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

LittleMissRolo

!!!!!!? wrote: »

This is where the internet scores ... I've already done most of my gift buying online and am about to finish it this afternoon.

Prices are generally much better than the shops and often free shipping so as long as you know exactly what you want, it's perfect.

I agree. There are great offers.

Amazon and play.com offer free delivery and their perices are near enough the same as each other.

Supermarkets are wise to the change we're going through. Who'd have thought you would be paying just £7.00 for a brand new release DVD a few months ago. You were looking at £14+ so thats halved it.

Generali

ad9898 wrote: »

I take no pleasure from saying this, 2009 is going to be one of the worst years ever, equaling anything that the Great Depression had to offer.

You reckon? Real GNP fell by over a 1/4 in 4 years. That still doesn't seem that likely to me as yet.

bo_drinker

!!!!!!? wrote: »

This is where the internet scores ... I've already done most of my gift buying online and am about to finish it this afternoon.

Prices are generally much better than the shops and often free shipping so as long as you know exactly what you want, it's perfect.

Internet.... biggest single handed killer of the high st. But it is the future unfortunately and many never kept up, they took their eye off the ball and bang now they are gone........ At the end of the day it is all down to prices you pay. I needed some web security 24.99 in town 11.00 on the bay.

wymondham

With the reduction of 2.5% on VAT, albeit temporary rumoured to be announced tomorrow, does anyone think this will really make any difference at all and get us to change our mind, improve our confidence and start spending again??? (personally speaking, no chance!)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7744273.stm

StevieJ

wymondham wrote: »

With the reduction of 2.5% on VAT, albeit temporary rumoured to be announced tomorrow, does anyone think this will really make any difference at all and get us to change our mind, improve our confidence and start spending again??? (personally speaking, no chance!)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7744273.stm

People will not even notice that with the price reductions flying around, need to put the cash in greasy palms.

WTF?_2

wymondham wrote: »

With the reduction of 2.5% on VAT, albeit temporary rumoured to be announced tomorrow, does anyone think this will really make any difference at all and get us to change our mind, improve our confidence and start spending again??? (personally speaking, no chance!)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7744273.stm

Given that we're being told of the dangers of deflation - lower prices encouraging consumers to hold of for even lower prices - it really seems a bit strange that the government response is to make prices ...... lower.

Methinks they'd be better doing something like raising the tax free allowance to put the money into people's pockets. Then maybe they'd feel more confidant in spending.

But of course, the Govt have to claw this back a couple of years down the line (or say they will to keep the bond markets happy) and it will be easier to just raise the VAT again than take away an allowance raise.

brixham

Is it just me or is Christmas in December !
I wont talk or think about it until December let alone get any presents.

Damn just realized I'm talking about Christmas and its only November !

kje_2

Are consumers really going to go out on a spending spree just because they're saving a few quid on VAT ? That's, even, if the saving is passed on. I'd much rather continue buying the essentials that I normally buy and not spend any extra money that I don't need to spend.