Along with $4 gas, many luxuries are going down the tank.
Buying generic-brand products
Of respondents interviewed by Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research, half said they had bypassed the major labels for generic-brand products in June. Similarly, 47% of the group said they had started brown-bagging their lunches instead of going out to eat during the workweek. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Fallout from fuel dependency: Do I want a new car or my daily double-tall-soy-caramel-Macchiato or that trip to Hawaii?
Shopping for clothes
While retailers did see a boost in revenue this spring after tax rebate checks were issued, 56% of car buyers and gas sippers surveyed said they were hitting the malls less often and 10% had gone cold turkey. (Mark Lennihan / Associated Press)
Going out to eat
Leftovers again? The survey found that 61% of those saving cash for a car were going out to eat less often, and 6% had stopped dining out entirely. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
Going to sporting events
Sorry, Juan Pierre. Kelley Blue Book reports that 27% of car shoppers say they have stopped attending sporting events altogether, while an additional 25% say they head to the ballpark less often. (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Carwashes
Although they might spruce up their wheels before heading to the dealer for a trade-in, 38% of those surveyed are going to the carwash less often and 18% have stopped entirely. (Karen Tapia-Andersen / Los Angeles Times)
Electricity use
Going “green” can also save some green. Half of those in Kelley Blue Book’s survey said they had cut down on electricity use and a die-hard 7% had stopped entirely. (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For the Times)
Going to coffeehouses
Just as long as they stay awake behind the wheel: 21% of Kelley Blue Book interviewees are frequenting Starbucks or other coffeehouses less often, while 28% have stopped completely. (Ted S. Warren / Associated Press)
Vacationing
How I didn’t spend my summer vacation: 44% of those interviewed by Kelley Blue Book said they would be vacationing less often; 18% had cut out trips altogether. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)