The New Recession Culture

This recession that is cutting so deeply into the wallets of people across the nation seems to have spawned a new “Back-to-Basics” movement that has us all tightening our belts.  It appears that as the cost of basic necessities continues to increase, nearly everyone is considering opting for a simpler, less complicated life.  Thanks to those strained wallets, ever-resourceful Americans are now spending less, searching out bargains and staying closer to home in order to make ends meet.  Grocery dollars are being spent on more wholesome foods and cooking at home is replacing dining out.  In fact, nutrition experts, when asked about the change in eating habits, believe that most Americans may be slightly more concerned with the economy than, say, their antioxidant consumption in the months ahead. If that’s the case, the quest for a healthful and cost-conscious diet suggests Americans will be eating more meals cooked at home, upping their produce and whole-grain intake and eschewing sodium. “It’s the back-to-basics bailout diet,” says Shelley McGuire, professor of nutrition at Washington State University in Pullman.  Is it possible that this recession might just make us healthier by default?

The home is not only being re-christened as the best place to dine in during these rough times, higher prices for basic commodities are also driving people back into their homes.  According to Inclined to Stay Home, Buy Less Stuff,  72 percent of the people polled said that they were spending a good deal more time at home, which might explain why consumer electronics is still a bright spot. Today’s home theater systems rival the quality of a movie theater, the popcorn is cheaper, finding a parking space is easier and there are the extra bonuses of being able to snuggle up on a comfy sofa and the ability to pause the movie to take a break.  Is it possible that this recession might also be responsible for families spending more time together?

 In virtually every other category however, consumers are rapidly turning off there excess spending, with 84 percent of those surveyed making a conscience effort to buy less stuff.  Opting to nest at home is quickly replacing those expensive evenings out and making do with what we already have is not only quelling the urge to shop, it is a fashion statement that says you are savvy. 

When the price of gasoline skyrocketed,  Americans began driving less and even when the prices came back down, gasoline consumption and vehicle-miles travelled continued to decline. Does this mean that people are making fewer non-essential trips, working out at home instead of going to the gym, car pooling more or taking mass transit?  In the Wall Street Journal, Joseph B. White pointed out how the cycle is so far following that of the late 1970s and early 80s;  Americans embrace high-mileage vehicles, gas gets expensive, they drive less and start thinking about alternative energy sources; demand falls and prices go back down; and then Americans return to their old ways.  I don’t think we will return to that pattern, because with this recession, there is new information in the equation: the prospect of global warming, pressure from other countries that are embracing alternative energy, a terrorist connection with imported oil and a new administration with a clean-energy plan.

We are once again caught up in the culture of recession. The fact that Americans are spending less is driving the economy down even lower.  The worse the economy gets, the less we try to spend.  Less demand for goods means a slow down in manufacturing, businesses close and more people loose their jobs and the spiral downward continues until people reach the point where they again have to spend money.  Then, cautiously at first they begin spending, then they become a little more daring  with their money until finally manufacturing picks up, people are rehired and stores are again back in business.  Will this recession teach us a valuable lesson?  Probably not, because that too is part of the culture of recession.’; //leave this line

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