Do you love your Starbucks coffee every morning? Or are you one of the many people giving up their morning jolt in order to put gas in their tank?
If you’re like one-quarter of the nation’s population, you’re giving up those delicious frapuccinos in order to make room in your budget for more fuel. When you think about it, for the price of one venti drink you can put a whole gallon of gas in your car!
But Starbucks isn’t the only company suffering from the gas prices. People are skipping other luxuries in their everyday life as well. As a nation, we’re buying fewer DVDs. We’re not going to as many sporting events as we once did. And restaurants have noticed fewer patrons since gas prices reached $4 a gallon, too.
Another interesting aspect about people cutting back on their expenses is that they expect their new spending habits to be a permanent change. Nearly 75 percent of consumers think the economy is going to get worse before it gets better. The only way to counteract the worsening economy is to save money where they can. Here are some numbers to mull over:
• 28 percent of consumers have admitted that they aren’t buying CDs or DVDs anymore.
• Nearly 30 percent of people no longer attend any sporting events while another 25 percent said they aren’t going to as many events as they once did.
• 60 percent of consumers are eating out less often.
• Nearly 70 percent of people are buying fewer items that they deem “non-essential” or “frivolous.”
So where’s the bright side? If you want to save money, visit your local Buick dealer today. With a largely fuel-efficient inventory and great prices, you can afford to spend a few bucks on your favorite caffeinated drink or at your favorite restaurant. Check one out today and get back to “life as usual.”
