[EnergySpin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') read somewhere that people who come from a background of privation to the US tend to jump onto the consumer treadmill most enthusiastically. Observations bear this out, from the Russian refugees and Cuban refugees who are most adamant about "The American Way Of Life" (tm) to people I see around here from India and China, who drive new cars, buy their kids every concievable toy and game and gadget.

[Choon]

A lot of people in Kuala Lumpur have that "success = wealth" mentality as well. A couple of people were trying to get me to join their business in networking, saying things like "oh, you can earn x amount of money a month, work really hard for 2 or 3 years and you can retire when you're 30".

I've been trying to explain to them that success to me is personal and spiritual growth, not material growth. As long as I earn enough for me to pay my bills, pay for my food and enjoy myself a bit each month, that's enough.

"Oh sure, but you can do whatever you like when you retire, isn't that worth 2 or 3 years of hardship?"

I'd like to see their faces when the REAL hardship comes along when TSHTF. Right now, I've got the time to do what I like (LOTS of martial arts), be with my friends and family, and keep track of the PO situation.

But these guys don't seem to get it. One second, they talk about wanting to avoid the traffic by coming back from work late, and the next, they talk about buying the newest BMW/Mercedes. I'm wondering what the heck actually goes on in their minds.

Then again, they're probably wondering if I'm sane too. Everyone else is on the rat race, so the rat race HAS to be the right way to live, right?

[I_Like_Plants]

I just wish I'd seen the overall picture. Pat Buchanan said it well, you can't spend your way to prosperty. I'd sure like to see that guy in the White House, I dunno if he's up to speed on Peak Oil, I'd guess probably so, he's awfully smart.

[emersonbiggins]

The die is cast. I'm young, have negligible savings, no house, significant credit card debt. I, and millions like me, are screwed. Who wants pie?

[turmoil]

apple pie?

[emersonbiggins]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('stupid_monkeys', 'a')pple pie?

[turmoil]

[PeakOiler]

I've reduced my home energy consumption by about 50% since 2000 and my direct gasoline consumption by about 65% since 2003.

But I'm still drinking, eating and being merry, or at least trying to be merry.

There needed to be other choices in the poll; something like d) a and b, or e) all of the above!

Because I'm preparing for the future using savings from choice (a)!

[freelight]

i moved within 4 blocks of my job, stopped buying stuff and going places i don't need to, have continued to buy organic (although i'm not buying food grown locally) gave up the car, am 500 bucks away from being debt free, own no house, have no land and therefore thinking of getting some kind of vehicle that may be veggie, bio-diesel or simply big enough to park and live in on my brothers property (he's peak oil aware - which is such a blessing, since i realize so many of you have no one to sit a nd talk with) i need panels, a pump and some tools. i want to build a cobb house if i can just get a few acres. damn! where am i gonna get some land?

[Ludi]

1 & 2

I never purchase much, typically living in a rather frugal manner. My purchases are mainly things to help transition to a less energy intensive way of life, such as seeds and some tools. But I still buy icecream and beer.

Big purchase was a couple of solar panels.

[Specop_007]

More.

Take advantage while you can right?

[RonMN]

Count me in for apple pie and could ya nuke it for 20 seconds & then throw a scoop of chocolate ice cream on top please!!!

[leal]

September 1 I am moving closer to work, thus reducing my driving.
Is there any apple pie left?

[Evltre]

Well, we're a 1 & 3! We've moved to the country - renting an old shack on the edge of a big farm, waiting until (hopefully) the price of land goes down a bit before buying - there are a lot of "lifestylers" around here who are already groaning under the weight of their gas bill - driving 60-70kms return into the city - often in two cars!

We're 4kms from a very small township, bit of a rural / farm science hub so good employment and low population. That's where hubby works, in a flat straight line (nice bike ride although you have to dodge the trucks a bit) and I'm waiting for a job to come up there, rather than take something immediately available in town.

So, for number 1 - we’re using a lot less gas, no more daily visits to the supermarket – we’ve learnt to shop bulk and make it last a couple of weeks! Buying a lot more local produce – loads of veges and stuff grown around here.

But, on the other hand for number 3 - I’ve got some new hobbies, which are burning up the cash a bit I’ve learnt to spin – brought a spinning wheel and all the bits to go with it including spares (second hand but still an investment). And brought several fleeces (although I have sorted an almost free future source for these). And I’ve gone knitting mad, and brought all sizes of knitting needles, pattern books etc

And to top it all off, I’m starting on the longer term food storage issue, with a bit of stocking up on the basics (salt, sugar, coffee, tea, rice etc) Not going over board on it as we live in a food production area, and have a good garden gearing up, but aiming to have a good 3-6 month supply of staples.

[Leanan]

This season is shaping up like last year's. Big sales on "Black Friday," but flat for the rest of the season.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '"')The biggest surprise to me has been this absence of urgency on the part of consumers," said Marshal Cohen, industry analyst with market research firm NPD Group. "I've been doing this for a long time. Other than in 2001, I haven't seen such a lackluster tone during the holidays.

"This doesn't feel like Christmas to me," he added. "Some consumers have told me that they haven't even started their holiday shopping yet, others say they've already run out of money. If I can find a parking space in the first or second row of a major mall this close to Christmas, something's wrong."

[Hegel]

Very good news.

[FoxV]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 't')otal sales this year for the key November-December shopping period are expected to be nearly $440 billion.

"The biggest surprise to me has been this absence of urgency on the part of consumers," said Marshal Cohen,

[Eli]

I think it is more likely that a lot of consumers are tapped out. They have given themselves over to the credit card companies and have been shaken upside down to the point that "uh, no more money comes out".

That and "damn how am I going to pay my heating bill for this past month?" is at play here.

The other thing too is that wage increases are flat, while costs have gone up, it is not like everyone was given a raise because of the energy price spike , actually unlike other times inflation does not have to rise all that much if peoples income does not increase.

[BO]

Eli Wrote:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') think it is more likely that alot of consumers are tapped out. They have given themselves over to the credit card companys and have been shaken upside down to the point that "uh, no more money comes out".

That and "damn how am I going to pay my heating bill for this past month?" is at play here.

[FairMaiden]

The malls here are eerily quiet as well. I have been amazed by the lack of shoppers everywhere. I had no problem at 5pm on a Fri buying my fiance's gifts. No line ups anywhere. Given what I know about PO, it gave me the creeps. But then my second thought was: maybe ppl are waiting for the boxing day/week sales??