How Has The Economy Affected You?

A RealSimple.com poll was conducted via SurveyMonkey.com from February 18 to March 12asking: "How has the economy affected you"? The answer: the economy has had a tremendous impact on spending habits. But as always there are ways to adapt and make it through until improvements come our way.

Here are the survey results:

STAYING IN IS IN

What areas of your life have you cut back on most?

Break out the slow cooker. People are reining in their restaurant budgets; 37 percent of people who answered this question are cutting back primarily on eating out. Nineteen percent of respondents say that their foremost cutbacks are on clothing, while 15 percent say their main trims are in entertainment and 11 percent point to travel. Through 65 percent of responders say they would cut back wherever necessary, there are certain everyday indulgences some are apt to keep; Transportation, gas, taxis, and household services (like child care and cleaning) lead them.

CREATIVE GIFT GIVING IS A MUST

Are you buying fewer gifts as a result of the economy? How has the economy affected your charitable giving?

It's not shocking that the philanthropic spirit has taken a backseat to survival mode. Sixty percent of responders say they are, in fact, buying fewer gifts; another 24 percent reported that they are buying the same number of gifts, but spending less on them.

People are split on their goodwill giving: Through more than half of respondents (52 percent) aren't making as many donations to charity, 43 percent say the economy hasn't impacted their charitable giving. (surprisingly, 5 percent say they're giving more.)

SAVING IS ON EVERYONE'S MIND

If you had $10,000 what would you do with it? How has the economy affected your mood? Do you think you or your partner more significantly?

Things may not be s bleak as they seem. In this classic what if game, nearly half of those surveyed (48 percent) say they would put the money in the bank. Another 38 percent would use it to pay off debts, while an impressive 10 percent are looking toward the future and would invest the money in home improvement.

On a scale of being scared, worried, or unaffected, the middle road was the most popular choice: 67 percent say that they're a little worried about the state of the economy. But the majority of the respondents - 69 percent - answered that they are taking the economic blows harder than their significant other.

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP

How has the economy affected your long term plans? When do you think the economy will start to turn around?

Though unsurprisingly money problems are in the forefront of everyone's mind, a good number aren't worried about the future: 47 percent of respondents say that the economy hasn't affected their long terms plans. Still, 23 percent are deeper in debt, and many other respondents voice concern about their ability to pay for college. But there is hope, as 34 percent foresee an economic uprising in a year.

COUPONS ARE KING

How has the economy affected your shopping habits? Do you use coupons more because of the economy?

Not even the ubiquitous sale signs are enticing respondents to spend. While 18 percent of those surveyed say they are shopping more to take advantage of bargains, about 67 percent are shopping less to save money. It's no secret that a good way to trim your bill is to use coupons, and 26 percent of those surveyed have always used them and will continue to do so. Thirty-eight percent are now following suit, using coupons more, while 36% are skipping the clipping.

It's great to see that there is optimism that thngs will be turning around. It's just what we will need to get things turned around. I am also glad to see people aren't just throwing in the towel and are actually finding ways to be creative and save money. The thing that would be great is after we are all through this that people continued to be creative and put money aside for the next rainy day. Remember...This has all happened before and it will happen again. Let's all be ready the next time.