How will spending habits change post-COVID?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

people won't be able to go back to spending. I don't think it's going to bounce back. We are up to 30M unemployment and only 1/14 of 2m of that really unemployed? Is that what we believe?

[disneysteve]

people won't be able to go back to spending. I don't think it's going to bounce back. We are up to 30M unemployment and only 1/14 of 2m of that really unemployed? Is that what we believe?

I think most of those who are recently unemployed will be back to work in the relatively near future. Stores and restaurants and factories and salons and gyms and everything else will reopen at some point and need all of those employees back. I do think some businesses will fail and others will be forced to downsize but I think most will reopen.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I think most of those who are recently unemployed will be back to work in the relatively near future. Stores and restaurants and factories and salons and gyms and everything else will reopen at some point and need all of those employees back. I do think some businesses will fail and others will be forced to downsize but I think most will reopen.

Maybe but maybe instead of hiring the owners work more. Maybe they don't hire as many but slowly because I think I read states that opened restaurants (was it GA) were still down 80%? That people were not going out to eat still. So what is the point of hiring staff if you have no work? Why hire someone to run store or restaurant if there aren't people shopping or eating or going out? Are people really going to gym and salons that fast?

[disneysteve]

Maybe but maybe instead of hiring the owners work more. Maybe they don't hire as many but slowly because I think I read states that opened restaurants (was it GA) were still down 80%? That people were not going out to eat still. So what is the point of hiring staff if you have no work? Why hire someone to run store or restaurant if there aren't people shopping or eating or going out? Are people really going to gym and salons that fast?

I agree that it won't be just flipping a switch back to normal. I think rehiring will not be 100% from day one. If places are opening with reduced capacity, they'll need reduced staff, so maybe half get rehired initially and the others later once capacity returns. For any business, there is some minimum staff you need to have the place open even if the customers aren't fully there yet. At my job, we need at least 2 techs and a provider even if we only see 3 or 4 patients a day. We can't operate with less than that.

[annibe11e]

I can't begin to fathom overall changes, but I can tell you what I expect will change for me...

I will go out SO MUCH in the beginning just because I can. I can totally see myself going out for a totally unnecessary beer at the dive bar 2 blocks from me every night until I can't stand it anymore. And who gets a beer without some wings?

Long term, I'm changing to local meat and produce CSAs and plan to dine out less. I want to move away from the larger supply chain a bit. I've already changed my at home eating habits a lot because I want to shop as little as possible so I'm not eating much meat or dairy right now. I have a bunch of dry beans and grains and frozen veggies. I'm reusing and making do like crazy and I'm actually enjoying it. Single use plastics are looking pretty ridiculous to me right now.

I've been shopping a lot less because I used to go shopping on weekends just to get out of the house because I struggle with unstructured time and depression. I've had to learn other coping mechanisms with mixed results. Unfortunately sleeping has been a big one, but I've also been spending time at cemetaries. Ok, I know that sounds weird but I downloaded the find a grave app and have been fulfilling gravesite photo requests. It's a nice thing to do for people and it's social-distance approved.

I think my small spending will decrease and my bigger spending like travel and experiences will increase.

[Petunia 100]

I can't begin to fathom overall changes, but I can tell you what I expect will change for me...

I will go out SO MUCH in the beginning just because I can. I can totally see myself going out for a totally unnecessary beer at the dive bar 2 blocks from me every night until I can't stand it anymore. And who gets a beer without some wings?

Long term, I'm changing to local meat and produce CSAs and plan to dine out less. I want to move away from the larger supply chain a bit. I've already changed my at home eating habits a lot because I want to shop as little as possible so I'm not eating much meat or dairy right now. I have a bunch of dry beans and grains and frozen veggies. I'm reusing and making do like crazy and I'm actually enjoying it. Single use plastics are looking pretty ridiculous to me right now.

I've been shopping a lot less because I used to go shopping on weekends just to get out of the house because I struggle with unstructured time and depression. I've had to learn other coping mechanisms with mixed results. Unfortunately sleeping has been a big one, but I've also been spending time at cemetaries. Ok, I know that sounds weird but I downloaded the find a grave app and have been fulfilling gravesite photo requests. It's a nice thing to do for people and it's social-distance approved.

I think my small spending will decrease and my bigger spending like travel and experiences will increase.

I've never heard of that. That is a nice thing to do for people. I'm going to check that out.

[disneysteve]

I've never heard of that. That is a nice thing to do for people. I'm going to check that out.

I thought the same thing. I've never heard of it either.