The biggest changes people are making in response to soaring gas prices is eating out less and staying home more, a new survey by the Nielsen Co. reports.
The survey of 50,000 consumers taken in June shows 52 percent of people eat out less, up 14 percent from a year ago, while 51 percent “do more at home,” up 12 percent from a year ago.
People also reported they are buying cheaper groceries and cutting more coupons.
So this is really a case of gas pains hitting people in the stomach.
Another interesting finding: No matter how much people pay for gas, they still aren’t using public transport.
| June-06 | June-07 | Dec.-07 | June-08 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combine errands/trips | 68 | 68 | 70 | 78 |
| Eat out less | 39 | 38 | 41 | 52 |
| Do more things at home | 39 | 39 | 39 | 51 |
| Reduce spending to a small degree | 33 | 29 | 31 | 37 |
| Reduce spending to a great degree | 15 | 16 | 18 | 26 |
| Use more coupons | 24 | 21 | 25 | 32 |
| Buy less expensive grocery brands | 22 | 19 | 23 | 35 |
| Use public transportation more | 4 | 3 | N/A | 4 |
The survey by Nielsen, perhaps best known for monitoring television audiences, did not report if people at home are watching more TV.
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I DONT KNOW WHAT I’M YELLING ABOUT!!!
All the sheep had to have Range Rovers, Escalades, Hummers, etc, etc. The status quo has to pay the price, boo hoo!
How could people use public transportation in an area where it takes over an hour just to go 10 miles!?!?! Perhaps if we had trains and other forms of transportation that moved us more quickly, people would opt for transit over driving . Unfortunately, for most of us in OC transit just isn’t a viable option.
This is a depressing story. If you don’t mind, I think I’ll just stay home and eat in.
if you stop eating out you stop feeding the illegal immigrant job market too. buy an alternative fuel car. It will kill the oil companies! I know shut up!