Americans have found numerous ways to cut their expenses during the current recession. We have readjusted our thinking as to what we actually need, and have learned to cut back on many everyday expenses. Our children are also learning to make do with less, and these lessons seem to be very good for everyone. Families are spending more quality time together and children are again learning to play with others in an unstructured way. The real question is, when the economy improves, will we return to our old purchasing patterns, or will we stick with the new ones we are currently using?

Many consumers who have been questioned about this, truly believe that they will continue with the lessons they have recently learned about living with less. The “green” movement also contributes to this new attitude. We are all re-evaluating our excessive lifestyles and realizing that frequently, less is more.

During the Great Depression, 25% to 30% of the workforce was unemployed. It became necessary that people adjusted to living meagerly and, in many cases, this continued throughout the years, as they were always saving their money and being very careful about any purchases they made. They would save for years in order to purchase a car or new appliance for cash. They didn’t want anything to do with credit and believed they should only purchase what they could afford at that time. The only exception was probably a home.

Today’s consumers have been learning new ways to save on an almost daily basis. Coupons have become a way of life and many of us will not shop unless there are good sales being offered. I recently visited the local library and was surprised to see that they have a coupon box at the circulation desk, available for their patrons. This is just one more new little way that people are helping one another to save.

Although consumers may gradually return to restaurants and upgrade some of their purchases, it is thought they will remain more conscious of their spending habits. The area most likely to be hurt will probably be the purchase of luxury items. It may take a long time before we are ready to return to the true luxuries we have had in the past.