Consumers cutting back on the small stuff (too)

[Bruce Nunnally]

We know, from economic data and polling responses, that consumers continue to be wary of making big-ticket purchases. But that's not the full extent of their caution about spending, according to a Harris Poll released today. This survey also finds many people still cutting back on little things in order to save money.

Thirty-nine percent of respondents said that, in the past six months, they've switched to a refillable water bottle instead of buying bottles of water. Thirty-eight percent have gone to the barber/hair stylist less often, 31 percent have canceled one or more magazine subscriptions and 24 percent have cut down on dry cleaning. Twenty-two percent said they've stopped buying coffee in the morning. There have also been some shifts in expenditures, with 65 percent buying more "generic products" and 48 percent brown-bagging their lunch.

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