Jan

28

09

Chocolate, Alcohol, and Cigarettes Replace RX Meds?

Posted by Sara at 3:22 pm

I know the poor economy has caused a lot of us to cut back on certain pleasures in our life. Most people are staying home and watching television instead of going out to the movies. Others are carpooling to fight the fluctuating gas prices.

On the other hand, some people are taking a lack of concern in their health and refraining from purchasing prescription medications, which is a necessity for many .

According to the Center for Studying Health System Change in Washington, D.C., due to the increase in prescription cost, most of those who have chronic conditions (making it crucial to continue their meds) are not purchasing them because they simply cannot afford to do so.

But what can people still afford? Their vice! Despite the slow economy, Americans are buying more chocolate, alcohol, and cigarettes than they were before. In fact, it is predicted that Americans’ purchases of these small indulgences will go up 28 percent by 2011 and chocolate sales alone with go up four percent every year for the next six years. A projected $77.8 billion has been spent on alcohol purchases in 2008, which is a 32 percent increase from 2003 (According to Mintel, a media and market research company in Chicago).  In retrospect, most alcohol spenders are cutting back by drinking at home instead of going out; however, they are still consuming just as much as before.

These facts don’t surprise me in the least bit, and I must admit I am still spending money on alcohol (don’t tell my mother, it’ll break her heart). I am unwilling to give up certain pleasures in my life, but I have found a way to stop spending in other areas; such as the lack of a haircut in six months, the dollar store has become my best friend, my feet are seriously overdue for a pedicure, and Victoria’s Secret has forgotten who I am. However, I do not have a need for prescription meds. But if they were a necessity, you better believe I would cut down my spending even more than I already have. My life is more important than having cute underwear.

As this phenomenon perplexes me, I have a couple of questions to ask all of you: What are you cutting back on to make up for the poor economy? And what small indulgences are you still splurging on?

Photo Credit: Belaray Dermatology and My Fray, Your Blog

Posted in: Fat-Free Body | Fitness | For the Feet | Health | Lifestyle | Must-Reads

Comments (4)

4 Comments »

  1. Pure Botanical

    February 10, 2009 at 4:09 am

    Hi Sara,

    I absolutely agree with you, people should analyze what they r cutting down on.

    They should work on saving each penny where they can and spend every dollar where it is necessary.

    great article !!

    Cheers

  2. Bob Thornton

    March 3, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    I found several inconsistencies in your argument.
    First of all, box office sales have actually increased, which is noteworthy after years of stagnating sales. Secondly, beer sales have dropped considerably. Just wondering where your facts came from–data or lazy assumptions.

  3. Elana

    March 3, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    Hey Bob! Thanks for commenting. Please note that our Beauty Chatters are anything other than lazy — that’s quite a hit. Please note that our writing is based on our own experience and thoughts. Should we miss the mark on stats, that is something we will look into, but versus having the goal of proving a point to our readers, I believe she is open to what others think. Maybe beer sales have dropped overall, but many people may still indulge in alcohol, and while box office numbers may have gone up, many people may not be going to the movies. I, for one, prefer on-demand.

    So, Bob, to answer Sara’s question: What are you doing to save money? Or, are you splurging on your own indulgences?

  4. Sara

    March 3, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    Hi Bob, thanks for your comment. I appreciate the interest you took into this matter. Despite the economy suffering, there are indulgences we still spend money on. As for box office sales, it was not the primary concern for this article- considering I wanted to address the issue of people taking lack of concern on their health, yet still spending money on indulgences. But I am now curious of where the box office sales are at in comparison to alcohol sales?
    In response to Elana’s comment, I am not sure the exact stats on beer sales, but alcohol sales in general are not suffering.

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