Will you spend more than last year?

[snafu]

All the TV talking heads are offering opinions on whether consumers will spend more this holiday season than last year. What's your plan? Do you expect to spend more this year? Many of us plan our spending so I figure you know.

Were you surprised that consumers spent more than expected Black Friday thru Cyber Monday? Are the Christmas bonuses higher than you expected?

[disneysteve]

I couldn't tell you what we spent last year and have no idea what we'll spend this year, so I can't answer your question personally.

As for national numbers, I'm not surprised at all. Consumer confidence is up, unemployment, while still high, is better. The market has been doing well. I think people are getting back to their pre-recession habits and loosening their belts more.

[josetann]

As far as money spent on presents? No idea yet...don't think we spent anything at all last year, so it wouldn't be too hard to go over that. We used to buy lots of presents, but we're now trying to focus more on experiences. Just because the economy's improving is no reason we should abandon our frugal habits and values.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Not surprised at consumer spending; that is probably just the result of the hype telling everyone that those are great days to shop for good deals.

We've never been in jobs that give bonuses.

Will probably spend about the same this year as last. Very modest, with some travel.

[thesimplemoneyblog]

Nothing has really changed much for us this past year, so we aren't likely to spend more or less than what we did last year. However, the general sentiment from people seems to be that things are picking up a little and overall confidence seems better than where it was at the end of last year (due in part to a good market this year despite the "fiscal cliff" issues coming up).

I went to a church auction earlier this month, and it was nice to see people donating back at the levels of where they were back in the 2006-2007 levels (and even higher on a number of items).

[kork13]

Yes, I almost certainly will... But not out of any change in the economy or anything. Of course, I was deployed last Christmas, so my only expenditures were for the gifts I gave. This year I'm flying out to see my family in Florida, so I'll likely spend as much on that as I did last year just doing gifts.

But as for the general sentiment, I agree that the overall feeling is that the economy is generally on the mend, so most people are are probably feeling more comfortable with spending money on the frivolous stuff in life.

[Blessed]

We have the same $1000 budget we had last year.

[chrisburke21]

Saving More

This year I plan to save more than I did last year. My goal is 50% of my income. I keep challenging myself to save a little more each year. It pays off.

[elessar78]

We'll spend more but only because our gift circle is expanding . . . by one nephew. But only by $25. We're also spending a bit more on a few other people because of in-kind help given to us, baby sitting, helping us move, etc. But again we're talking $50 increments not huge.

[rossmel]

I don't know .. well maybe yes and maybe no. It is totally relative.

[bjl584]

Probably about the same as last year for me.