---
"title": "Cutting Back During Hard Economic Times"
"description": "More than six-in-ten Americans have cut back on household spending since the recession began."
"date": "2010-07-14"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Russell Heimlich"
    "job_title": "Former web developer"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/short-reads/2010/07/14/cutting-back-during-hard-economic-times/"
"categories":
  - "Recessions & Recoveries"
---

# Cutting Back During Hard Economic Times

Since the start of the recession, 62% of Americans say they have cut back on household spending. Just three-in-ten say they have kept their level of spending constant and 6% have increased their spending. Americans have taken a variety of approaches to reining in other spending during the recession. The most popular route to cost cutting has been to buy less expensive brands (71% have done this). Fully 57% have decided to cancel or cut back on vacation plans during the recession. Three-in-ten have saved money by spending less on alcohol and cigarettes. One-in-ten adults(11%) has postponed marriage or having a child during the recession. Overall, higher-income adults report making fewer lifestyle adjustments than do lower-income adults. Likewise, adults age 65 and older report making fewer retrenchments than do younger and middle-aged adults. [Read More](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/pubs/1643/recession-reactions-at-30-months-extensive-job-loss-new-frugality-lower-expectations)