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Bah-humbug! say some holiday shoppers
CNN ^ | 11-21-06

Posted on 11/22/2006 6:13:43 AM PST by Hydroshock

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Almost a third of Americans plan to spend less on the holidays this year, mainly because they need to use their money for daily expenses, according to a survey released Tuesday.

The Consumer Federation of America and the Credit Union National Association found 32 percent of shoppers want to spend less than they did during the 2005 holidays. About half of the survey's roughly 1,000 respondents said they would like to spend about the same. Only 15 percent intended to spend more.

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CNNMoney.com shows you how to properly tip for the holidays. Play video

Rising energy costs are forcing many to deck the halls more sparsely this year, the report found, but general household expenses and tight family finances are also dragging down holiday budgets. More than 25 percent in the survey said the prices of gifts were simply too high.

But shoppers do not always follow through on their spending plans, said CUNA's chief economist Bill Hampel.

"Our experience with this survey is consumers tend to say they will spend less than they actually do, and our overall survey findings are slightly weaker than last year," he said in a statement. "This suggests many households will feel financially 'hung over' in a couple of months unless they do something about it now

(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bahhumbug
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1 posted on 11/22/2006 6:13:44 AM PST by Hydroshock
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To: Hydroshock

I blame nancy Pelosi and her extremeist policies.


2 posted on 11/22/2006 6:15:10 AM PST by Holicheese (Beerfest could be the greatest movie ever made!)
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To: Hydroshock

Almost a third of Americans plan to spend less on the holidays this year, mainly because they need to use their money for daily expenses

I say that every year, and every year I spend more than the last


3 posted on 11/22/2006 6:15:18 AM PST by GQuagmire
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To: Hydroshock
mainly because they need to use their money for daily expenses,

mainly because they need to use their money to pay Taxes


4 posted on 11/22/2006 6:16:04 AM PST by darkwing104 (Let's get dangerous)
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To: Hydroshock
Illogical.

Dims "won" power and thus the housing bubble simply cannot burst and therefore folks are rolling in the dough since Nov. 7.

5 posted on 11/22/2006 6:17:13 AM PST by 100-Fold_Return (I'll Never Be Broke Another Day in My Life!)
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To: 100-Fold_Return

Exactly. Why, just this morning, my flying unicorn came in with a diamond-studded bag of unmarked twenties and fifties.


6 posted on 11/22/2006 6:18:23 AM PST by Malacoda (A day without a pi$$ed-off muslim is like a day without sunshine.)
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To: darkwing104

You maybe partly right, my property taxes are up $300 from last year in TX. The repsin the legislature have been giving lib service to relief for years abut have done nothing.


7 posted on 11/22/2006 6:18:32 AM PST by Hydroshock ( (Proverbs 22:7). The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.)
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To: Hydroshock

This is a FEMA issue. It's a real tragedy when a person does not have enough Christmas money to take part in gift giving traditions. A $2500.00 gift card to every eligible citizen would be nice. Never mind that the lap-dancing elves would LOVE to be on the receiving end of joy.


8 posted on 11/22/2006 6:19:27 AM PST by small voice in the wilderness (The worst case scenario is even worse than I imagined.)
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To: Hydroshock

I prefer improperly tipping as I see fit. My shopping will be finished before the first. With the exception of charity and food stuff my goal is not to shop in Dec.


9 posted on 11/22/2006 6:19:43 AM PST by CindyDawg
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To: Hydroshock

I'm spending less this year...because I have to save up for when the Democrats raise taxes. *spit*


10 posted on 11/22/2006 6:20:06 AM PST by fatnotlazy
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To: Hydroshock

We put quite a bit into the Christmas fund this year. When it becomes available to us, we are paying bills. Gifts will be home made. It is going to be family time instead of spending time.


11 posted on 11/22/2006 6:21:41 AM PST by RobRoy
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To: CindyDawg

My wife and I finished the last of our shopping in early September. We had half done then hit the outlet malls in San Marcos. I just have on more to buy, my friend and hunting buddy Joe, it once again is time for the Yulltide exchange of the bourbon bottles.


12 posted on 11/22/2006 6:22:18 AM PST by Hydroshock ( (Proverbs 22:7). The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.)
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To: Hydroshock
I am planning on spending absolutely nothing on holiday shopping.

However, I will spend a great deal on Christmas shopping.

13 posted on 11/22/2006 6:22:35 AM PST by jboot (Faith is not a work)
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To: darkwing104

>>mainly because they need to use their money to pay Taxes<<

Y'know, about two years ago some friends and I were talking about inflation, and about how prices really had not gone up in quite a while. As the conversation continued and more aspects of this were discussed, we slowly realized that their HAS BEEN inflation. It has been in taxes and fees.

Interesting note: a building permit in Seattle for a single home today costs around $26,000. Back in 1969 my dad got a building permit in Seattle to build his own five bedroom home. It cost $7.

This is not inflation. It is robbery.

You are exactly right.


14 posted on 11/22/2006 6:25:10 AM PST by RobRoy
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To: Hydroshock

I usually buy all year but got behind in 05. I'm about back on track. I'll be finished by October next year. I need to go to the outlet mall though. We have a new one here but it just isn't the same:')


15 posted on 11/22/2006 6:25:32 AM PST by CindyDawg
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To: Hydroshock

Hydroschlock: Throwing Cold Water on Christmas since May 18, 2006. :)


16 posted on 11/22/2006 6:26:48 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: Hydroshock

-Eric

17 posted on 11/22/2006 6:27:17 AM PST by E Rocc (Myspace "Freepers" group moderator)
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To: darkwing104
to pay Taxes

That's no lie.

18 posted on 11/22/2006 6:28:23 AM PST by CindyDawg
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To: Malacoda

Confusing, Captain--moose ate your cheese, not your sister.


19 posted on 11/22/2006 6:28:45 AM PST by 100-Fold_Return (I'll Never Be Broke Another Day in My Life!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

You get a bump!!!!


20 posted on 11/22/2006 6:29:45 AM PST by 100-Fold_Return (I'll Never Be Broke Another Day in My Life!)
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