Scotiabank’s 2009 Holiday Spending Study came out recently and reports that Canadians plan to spend about $600 on gifts and $300 on non-gift related items (e.g. travel and food) this year, up $7 from last year.
Albertans will spend the most and those from Quebec the least (with Ontarians very near the bottom, for which I am to blame).
A newspaper article re the study reported that ‘the holiday season is the busiest time of year for the country’s retailers and provides a barometer for consumer confidence in the economy’ (Dec. 16, London Free Press) and most of us likely understand why banks do studies and why retailers are interested in our money.
["Ten dollars a week soon adds up." "OINK"]
Though a $7 increase over last year’s spending may not cause much rejoicing in the business world, I suspect it’s not as much of an increase as in previous years, and for that I’m thankful.
Maybe a ‘spend less, pay down debt and save money for hard times’ philosophy is catching on, after all.
***
I’ll look for past studies to see if I’m right.
.
2 comments:
You are not alone in your attitude towards consumerism. Both my wife and I kind of share your philosophy, although you probably could not tell from reading my motorcycling blog. And she also facilitates a "Simple Living Circle" on the same subject and has given a few talks to different groups. Almost every time she meets new people she hears them say that it's nice to know they are not the only ones who value saving over boosting the economy .
The Simple Living Circle sounds very interesting. I'd like to know more about it.
More people are ready for this type of change. Consumerism has a long shelf life, like many products, but people tire of the chase.
Merry Christmas,
GAH
Post a Comment