I enjoyed getting a perspective the last time I took this poll and I'm curious as to how it's changing as we progress. Similar to the last one - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/530753
Ignoring essentials like food, fuel, housing etc.. Has your consumer discretionary changed since restrictions are relaxing?
Compared to pre-covid, are you spending more? Still less? About the same?
Curious at how the OZB crowd's spending habits have changed later into the COVID pandemic
Same as before but probably spending less overall as I'll be stuck to outback visits rather than an overseas vacation.
My main spendings were out at restaurants and bars. They’ve only just reopened in Vic (with food only) and a lot of my friends are still hesitant to go out. So until then, I will continue to barely spend and save for that overseas holiday I can’t go on 😂
Just dont have to buy sanitiser anymore
I feel the Ozbargain community though is a bit insulated from Covid given the very high average income of it's users as the recent poll indicated.
a fair assumption. we still saw a huge slump in spending from the last poll. I expect this to even out more
Definitely spending a lot less here.
Big expenses previoualy was eating out weekends as well as buying random crap on Amazon and eBay.
Those have dropped a lot. Thank goodness.
The last seven days has been great! We have been going out to support the economy as best as we can - even though we know our spend is very negligible.
Been to a few pubs starting last Monday, a few casual restaurants, had a Sunday session which ended up drunk singing at karaoke later that night Played the poker machine and lost some money. Supported our local wine bar too. Spent about $500 in the week on discretionary stuff.
Looking forward to gyms reopening this week!
Next, has to be overseas travel recommencing!
Pre covid we reduced our spend on eating out.
During COVID a) decided to support the locals by ordering takeaway at least once a week and b) less spend on fuel and transport (of course). This is still continuing.
Just wait until the Jobkeeper money stops and many people are still out of work or underemployed, we will see a big slump in spending.
Spending about the same would love to spend a bit more on a nice holiday but i think that is some time away - will probably do a few short holidays around Aus but waiting for everything to open up again
In practice I've probably spent about the same, if not more, due to more random trips to Bunnings, handy Aldi special buys, and OzBargain impulse buys lol. Being at home more means I've noticed many more things I've put money into finally doing or fixing.
I am aiming to (LOL) spend a lot less though because my job will probably be more under-threat later. Or at worst forget any pay rises for the next few years, not even for inflation.
Still not spending on cityfail (or sh*ttyrail) and gym which is about $270/month saving
~67% of people still spending LESS
~10% of people still spending MORE
~23% of people spending the same as pre COVID
My spending is the same but I was fortunate to have no change in income during the great toilet paper shortage of 2020.