Recession, what recession?

[jazzactivist]

I am pleased to hear that in the midst of a recession the Arts and small tourism businesses are doing very well. It seems that people are spending their money on things that will enrich their lives and going out more to the theatre, cinema, different events and going away for weekends and holidays in the UK. Apparently, West End theatres have seen a 40% rise in ticket sales, my OH said that the StAnza festival had lots of sold out performances this year, a friend who runs a few holiday cottages on her farm told me that she has been fully booked so far and all have been people who have lost their jobs and want to have a nice time while they still can. I know that it is now quite hard to get tickets for local cinema showings as I have twice missed the boat in the past two weeks! There doesn't seem much point in thinking ahead by saving and risking your money with a bank, so are you going out / eating out more lately disregard the consequences?

[Crocus]

We carry on more or less as usual, not being overspenders anyway. We only buy what's necessary, don't buy the first and best, always shop around before we decide on something. When we go to the "big city" we always have a nice lunch, not expensive, actually we don't eat at expensive restaurants, rather somewhere relaxing (like the picnic lunch we had two weeks ago), and fits the bill so to speak. On special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries we would go the extra mile and then enjoy it to the fullest. x

[Katelb]

I think we fit in with your way of life too Crocus,we enjoy ourselves without having to spend vast amounts of cash,the simpler the better;as soon as we get the weather for a picnic we shall start doing that too! To be honest,we haven't fallen victim to the recession,we become extravagant for a celebration perhaps but not normally,and we only occasionally eat out.x

[franbee]

We are continuing as normal, we are fairly low spenders anyway, don't go out much and have simple tastes. We don't just buy cheap though, especially food, tend to go without rather.

[Gentian]

It hasn't really affected us, we have fixed income pensions which we can live quite well with and have no need to call on savings yet. As they say you only loose your capital if you have to realise it by cashing it in. If we can sit it out we will be fine.

[jazzactivist]

It hasn't affected us either as, like you all, we also have a steady sort of lifestyle where we don't overspend and although we do eat out a fair amount and like to support Arts events and go to the theatre and cinema we tend to prioritise that over other things, like buying lots of clothes or wine. Our savings are in fixed rate bonds and we don't have so much that we would lose out if the building society went bust! Quite often OH has something to do with an event anyway, so he usually goes free and only I pay. It is interesting, though, that when money is tight people spend on things that they can enjoy now rather than things that may benefit them in future.

[Crocus]

I wonder if it's perhaps a way of "psychological escape", by spending on things like shows, theatre, movies, etc. in difficult times.