Do you think people are being more careful about spending now?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (45040)
May 24, 2025 2:16pm CST
I have been observing people's spending habits in the past few years, way more than I used to. It's interesting to see what some people consider to be necessities, how frugal some people are trying to be, and then how wild some are with their spending.
According to what I have read from different articles, etc. many in the US literally live paycheck to paycheck, with the numbers higher than ever in the last few months. In my reading, somewhere between 55-78% of families are pretty much dead broke by payday. Maybe some people do this out of habit? But most of the people I know that live paycheck to paycheck are just covering basic necessities. Many have given up entertainment, eating out, buying new clothing and other items, and basically just getting down to get what they have to get.
I also discovered that only a mere 18% of all Americans make over $100K per year, and I was surprised, as I thought more people than that actually did. Also, this has all been greatly affected by the closing of businesses, layoffs and loss of jobs/insurance, etc. along with continually rising prices.
Do you track your spending? I actually do. It's a great way to know, and to keep track of, just exactly what you are spending on what, and to keep a person on the right path. I know it helps a lot of people. Unfortunately, a lot of people are very strong impulse buyers...or spend money then didn't plan on spending, on things they didn't need or weren't even looking for at the time.
I have a friend who asked for some good recipes that didn't cost a lot, and then another lady I know asked me for some hints in how to cut back on her food costs...I did try to help these people, but I am no expert by any means--I've learned as I went through life. So, so many are truly struggling right now. I know I have to be extremely careful as well.
Are you monitoring your spending more now than you used to?
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20 people like this
18 responses
@snowy22315 (191165)
• United States
24 May
Yes, but it doesn't have to do as much with the economy, but my age. I can't afford to be careless about money any longer, and I think long and hard about any large purchases.
5 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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24 May
My ex blew through so much money, it was scandelous. It even affected the relationships he had with his parents, our children, me, and others. I learned from the King of blowing money on how to NOT blow money...and yes, as we age we know that every penny truly does count, I agree.
4 people like this
@celticeagle (175827)
• Boise, Idaho
24 May
I have $80 in my account until June 3rd. That's 10 days. Our rent is probably going to go up 7% in August. We are paying $100 more in bills this year and for the next 1 and 1/2 years to pay off the vinyl flooring bill. I am paying $100 to $120 more in groceries each month to get the same things I was getting before. The measly amount of a COLA raise we got in January doesn't help. It should be at least twice that to make any dent or help. I learned from my mother how to spread money pretty thin. She was going to a couple of different stores each week for the sales to spend $15 a week on groceries to feed 4 people. She did it well. But that was in the 60s. Prices have gone way up since then. My grandmother used to have the family over for Sunday dinners and spent $3 on a roast big enough to feed 8 people. I don't just struggle right now and with the Trump administration, but EVERY month. I keep all the receipts from groceries. I have it delivered and always pick the times that cost the least, so I can save on that. I also pay a flat tip each time, and not what the store's computer deems I should be paying. If the guy who brought it would actually bring it into the kitchen and not just drop it at the door, then I'd pay them better. Tips are an entirely different issue for me that I won't go into here.
It must be nice to make 100K a year. Our entire household only brings in a little over a third of that.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (175827)
• Boise, Idaho
25 May
@MarieCoyle .........We have to be careful. I wish we had room for a small chest freezer. I think we could freeze fruit, vegetables, and meat when it is cheap and savor it all year.
I'm hanging in there the best I can.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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26 May
@celticeagle
I know people who live in an apartment that have a small chest freezer, put in a closet or wherever they can make it work, to save money. I really do utilize my freezer, I'm sure it would help you to get one sometime.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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25 May
Oh, those Sunday roast beef dinners! Good memories!
My rent increases every single year, I think most people have that happen now. And unfortunately, we all know that unexpected expenses come up all the time.
I am a careful shopper, I know you and many others here are the same. We have enough to eat here for now, and I am thankful. It may not always be what we want, but so far I have managed to keep good-for-us food on the table. Junk food isn't important to me at all, I know some people feel it's essential but I don't buy junk, so that helps some. I don't buy frozen meals...I don't like them anyway, I would rather eat what I fix.
It sounds as if you are doing the best you can do with what you have to work with! Hang in there.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (476540)
• Italy
26 May
@MarieCoyle - I want to have enough to live comfortably for the rest of our days.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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26 May
@LadyDuck
I can understand that. You and your husband worked hard for what you have. You deserve to enjoy it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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24 May
I do my best to try to support small businesses, but in all honesty I just don't buy much right now. Aldi and Ruler have to be my go-to for most food items. We do not have any local grocery stores that are owned by anyone other than a big corporation here, at least not anywhere close to me.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (191506)
• United States
25 May
Keeping my husband in rehab cut deeply into our retirement fund. All the projects I am doing now depleted both of my husband's insurance policies and my Carvana check. I am done once the garage door and opener are installed. I don't want to touch anymore of our retirement $$. There is still one project to be done; but it will have to wait. The broken window was an unexpected expense.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (191506)
• United States
26 May
@MarieCoyle Yes, we were very fortunate to have an adequate retirement fund to keep my hubby in those awful places. Yes, I still have the Subaru for any emergencies. If I have to get somewhere; and there is no one to take me, I will have to drive.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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26 May
@LindaOHio
I know you've heard this before, but be sure to start it once a week at least...and then maybe drive a little ways and back. Even new batteries will die if the car never runs.
I know nursing care facilities almost always are not the places we want to be, or want our loved ones to be in. I also know if you would have been able, you would have cared for him yourself. You did the best you could do.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
•
25 May
But if you look at it from another viewpoint, it’s good that you had the money to keep him in the facility. You could not have cared for him at home by yourself without full time help and him being so sick and frail. I know it was a fortune to pay out. You did what you had to do.
I know you sold the two cars but you still have one, correct? Are you keeping it? I remember you saying that you didn’t want to drive anymore.
2 people like this
@indiandevil (2478)
• Canada
24 May
I know I'm more careful about what I spend these days, I have to be. Being on a fixed budget, and the cost of things these days if I didn't just get the bare necessities, I wouldn't have enough to cover everything. It is becoming very expensive to live. I used to buy myself things, but lately I can't seem to come up with the money to buy anything aside food and household items.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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25 May
I completely understand. The needs are taking all the money now, and it's somewhat of a struggle for many people to purchase basic needs. Hang in there!
2 people like this
@indiandevil (2478)
• Canada
25 May
@MarieCoyle Thank you, I normally have enough to get by and the way I see it there are far too many more people out there less fortunate. I am very thankful for what I have.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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25 May
@indiandevil
Oh do I ever agree with that statement, I am very thankful for what I have as well!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (164195)
• United States
24 May
I always have had to be careful and we still had some pitfalls along the way. Something that is helping this month is that I just stay out of the stores, and then money stays in my pocket. A corollary to that is to not send Bob shopping. He does poorly.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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25 May
I am not an impulse buyer. When grocery shopping, I am strict with myself on taking a list. The only exception I make for not following the list is if I have discovered a huge bargain on something I use and will need soon, then I will generally get some of that item if possible. I know all about some men and shopping. They often do not check prices, they just toss things in the cart and call it a success.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (99336)
• United States
24 May
I love people who say those who live paycheck to paycheck just aren’t trying hard enough. Uh yeah, THAT’S why.
The recent medication I’m paying out of pocket for is really messing me up. It’s a $150 cost I’m trying to cover, and it’s hard. If I could just sell some things I have I’d feel a lot better, but I’m a little hesitant on how to use certain sites.
Money is more than tight. I asked my dad if he knew of anyone who needed something done for money. Sometimes his friends pay people for odd jobs, and I would really like to have some cash coming in. I’m really limited on helping people right now too, and that bugs me.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (99336)
• United States
25 May
@MarieCoyle I think you help people with encouragement.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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25 May
@AmbiePam
Bless your big fat heart. We all need to be encouragers, and help each other along that way.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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25 May
We have one of son's meds right now that isn't covered so is out of pocket. I can truly sympathize with the struggle, medicines are generally so, so expensive! As you said, money is more than tight for many of us right now.
Don't worry about helping others now, you have to put your own health first, Amber. If there are people who do not understand that, they are being ridiculous. I like to help others when I can...but right now, I cannot. I do get it. 
2 people like this
@FourWalls (75776)
• United States
25 May
With the prices going up I have no choice but to spend more. I thankfully don’t have to monitor every penny the way I used to.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
•
25 May
Yes, we are all definitely spending more for our necessities than we used to.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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25 May
I have as well, Judy. I am always amazed when I see someone spending a large amount of money on an impulse purchase. No thought put into it, and no price comparisons whatsoever, just buy it and later try to sell it or give it away so they can do it again. Makes absolutely no sense at all to me, but hey…it’s not my money.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (53764)
• Canada
25 May
I have been really watching my spending and keeping track of it for the past 8 years.
It has really helped me in wasting less and saving more.
With the concern of the prices rising very soon at the grocery store I bought up alot of pantry items today.
According to the news, the grocer's warehouses are running low on items that they have had pre-tariff, but that stock is starting to dwindle. I noticed that the large canister of Maxwell House coffee I have in the pantry, that I bought on sale for 8.99 each, are ow selling for 14.00. So today I bought another canister as I am sure that will rise to closer to $20 before the end of the summer. I bought up 16 cans of baked beans, as they had them on for a dollar, which is a far cry from the usual price of 3 times that. I bought up some frozen shrimp today to keep in the freezer, those prices will rise also.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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25 May
It surely does help a lot with saving more and wasting less. Having ingredients for meals on hand that I have purchased at a decent price or on sale helps a lot, too. I absolutely hate trying to make a meal and be missing a key ingredient, so the ingredients that are not perishable are standard for me to keep in my pantry. I canned and froze vegetables last summer along with my oldest girl and her husband, I still have some of those. I keep some other canned goods, too. Coffee...it goes up every week, doesn't it? For a long time we could get two larger Folger's for $12. Then it was two for $14. Now it's 2 for $18. Crazy...and that's just one brand, if you can even find it. I have read a lot about all seafoods will climb in price this year as well, so it's good to have them on hand.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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25 May
@jstory07
Better to have it and maybe not need it, than need it and not have it! It’s good to think ahead!
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (110841)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
25 May
I do my best to spend on items that I need than buying items that I want since I have fear of losing a home by not paying my rent and other bills.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (110841)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
25 May
@MarieCoyle You are right.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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25 May
That's being smart, George. Pay for the needs first, so that you have food and a home to live in.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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25 May
It sounds to me like you did everything right, that's wonderful.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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25 May
I have, too. Even when the ex spent money like wildfire, I still did my part by trying to be frugal.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (86055)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 May
Before I order my groceries each month I make up at least three lists until I am satisfied with one so that there is enough left in my account for other things I ,might need each month,
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
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25 May
I keep a running list of staple items, when one is getting low it's time to hunt up a replacement. I know you are very careful about what you buy, and how much you spend. I can relate to that, as can others here.
2 people like this
@JESSY3236 (20639)
• United States
3 Jun
I am spending more because either clothes don't fit or stuff for the house. And I am planning a trip in November.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
•
28 May
I understand that completely. Times are rather difficult right now for so many.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (45040)
•
4 Jun
@grenery8
I hope there are more good times in store for us all, at some point.
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (17706)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
3 Jun
@MarieCoyle they are. when people mention good old times, they really mean it.
1 person likes this
