/Portals/2/logos/__TFMF_ecych3uaaf5k0c55nhqrve55_cec02702-fa7a-42a3-9cef-52915b401759_0___Selected.jpg en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 20 May 2013 21:58:25 GMT 15 By Chris Pamperin
Remember when people used to cut coupons out of newspapers and magazines because there was a two-for-one special on something, or when people ate inside their own homes instead of eating at a fancy restaurant, or even when people actually wanted to go to the library? It appears those trends are starting to increase again. The way the economy is right now with stocks on Wall Street falling, foreclosures rising, and increasing unemployment, it seems impossible for people to buy anything: food, transportation, gas, clothing, music, movies, video games, and electronics. However, people have found ways to cope with the economic struggles. Food has become one of the necessities that have been difficult to buy now that prices have started to increase. One way to get food without spending a lot is through the usage of coupons, which are advertisements that show a product on sale or for a special and can be found in newspapers, magazines, and online. Chuck Olsen, owner of the Piggly Wiggly in Howard, says that people are more into saving and has noticed an increase in customers using coupons and buying non-brand items, as well as an increase in people buying hamburgers instead of steak. Higher food prices could cause people to start eating inside their homes more and making their own meals instead of eating out at sit down restaurants or fast food joints. However, fast food places have been trying to keep their businesses steady and help customers save on their money by advertising their products for cheap prices and specials. Currently, some of these restaurants include McDonald’s, which advertises two Egg McMuffins for three dollars, and Taco Bell, which advertises some of its food for $0.79, $0.89, and $0.99 on a special menu. Clothing stores, like Kohl’s, JCPenney’s, and Younkers, have helped people buy the quality jeans, shirts and jewelry, but higher prices on these products could make people think of better ways to find clothing. Like food, clothing stores have been using coupons in order to keep their businesses strong and help customers save on their money. Clothing can also be bought at stores that sell usedclothing, like a thrift store, where people give away products for free and can be bought for cheap prices. Other ways include looking for lost or unused clothing throughout a house and asking friends and family members for clothes they don’t use anymore. Traveling is an important part of people’s lives in order to get to places, but there are easier ways to travel that don’t cost a lot. Traveling less or not traveling to anywhere unimportant, like the mall, the movie theater, and a sports game, can help save on gas and money; there’s also carpooling, where a group travels in one vehicle instead of individuals driving in separate vehicles. Instead of buying a new vehicle at a big retailer, there are stores that sell used cars and trucks for cheap prices. Public transportation, like buses, trains and airplanes, is another way to travel without spending a lot on refueling a vehicle; it’s also useful if one doesn’t own a vehicle, but it does require money for a ticket or a pass. Walking and biking can be used to get somewhere that’s not very far, which not only saves on driving and money, but also is good exercise. Instead of going to Best Buy, Target, or Wal-Mart to buy entertainment products like movies, music, video games and electronics, there are other places to buy these products for cheaper prices. Like clothing, most of these products can also be found at thrift stores, where they are also sold cheaply. Other stores, like MediaXchange on Military Avenue and PrePlayed on Oneida Street by Bay Park Square, also sell these items for cheaper prices than originals sold at regular retail stores; people can also sell items at these places and earn money in return, but only if the products are in good condition. According to workers who work in these stores, they have been getting more people and have seen a lot more selling since the economy went bad. While a library has often been considered a place to check out books, it has also been a place where people can check out movies, games and music for free by using a library card. Louanne Crowder, a supervisor at Howard’s Brown County Library, says that last year, 2.2 million people visited all the Brown County Libraries with 1.3 million checking out items. "It’s a phenomenon when the economy goes bad, people come here to educate and entertain themselves," she says. Although the economy may be in a "recession" right now, it hasn’t stopped many from getting what they need and enjoy. However, it has made people more cautious about what they buy and how much they spend. ]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:56:55 GMT