Recessions have a way of helping people distinguish needs from wants. However, analysis from U.S. News & World Report has resulted in a somewhat surprising list of products and services where sales over the past few years have either grown or at least have not declined, including:
- Notebook computers. Sales have skyrocketed over the last three years.
- High-speed Internet access. This was one of only three things people described as more of a necessity in 2009 than in 2006, according to a Pew Research Center study. The other two were flat-screen TVs and an iPods.
- Smart phones. While cell phone sales dropped for the first time ever in 2009, sales of smart phones, which can handle e-mail, browse the Internet, and more, rose.
- Education. Private school enrollments slipped only marginally from 2008 to 2010 and college enrollments grew.
- We also spent more over the past few years on music downloads, pets, alcohol, and coffee.
I believe the only area where my wife and I have increased spending over the past couple of years is on activities for our kids. What about you? While there are probably many areas where you have cut back, what have you spent more on during the past few years?
We started out paying more for high speed internet and cutting back on TV programming. Then we called the internet company (we have cable internet) and told them we wanted to lower our speed to the next lowest package to save money. They offered us a lower rate for the same service, locked in for a year! Call around to your service providers and see what they’re willing to do to keep your business. 🙂
Ann, I hear ya on the increased cost of things. Our health insurance is a lot more expensive than it was three years ago.
And Shelly, very cool about your move from net to gross on your tithe.
We chose to increase our tithing from 10% net to 10% gross. Our income decreased by almost 25% yet every bill got paid. God’s math beats mine every single time….
Groceries, gasoline, electricity, house and car insurance
In other words, essentials. We are not buying more than before, it’s just costing more for the same things. While monthly Medicare premium remained the same for this year, the deductible went up.