Is the Economy Affecting your MAC Purchases?

[abbyquack]

I heard that my bank (WaMu) was sold today and it's the largest sale in U.S. history. While I'm not like in a panic or anything b/c I'm protected, it does make me feel a little jittery about the economy. I have not expected to cut down on MAC purchases because of the economy, but am wondering, is anyone here going to (or has already) put their love for MAC on the back burner til this gets sorted out? Do you think there should be any reason for us to be worried?

 

[TwistedFaith]

Honestly, I have become more cautious and wary of my spending habits lately. On the other hand though, if I really like a product and it's not what I might consider an exorbitant price, I'm going to get it. Luckily for me, as far as MAC is concerned, I'm only really interested in the upcoming Manish Arora collection, so that will save me some money. I am worried about a potential price hike on products. I know MAC raised the prices of many of their products this past July and hopefully it won't happen again anytime soon.

 

[rbella]

OMG! I feel so bad about this b/c I just recommended WAMU to people.

Honestly, the economy doesn't really affect my MAC spending. I just adjust it accordingly. As long as MAC stays relatively inexpensive, it will fit into my makeup budget. I'm a Realtor and you'd think I'd be bitching loudly about the economy, but I'm still doing good.

Maybe it is just because I'm in Houston? If I get economically screwed, MAC will be one of the first things I cut from my budget. Even though I will be sad....

 

[QueenEmB]

haha, not me because I just had a big payrise!

 

[Kiss and Makeup]

WaMu was bought out by Chase, which is another bank. Don't feel bad about recommending them.

I work in the mutual fund business, and it's an interesting time, to say the least. I'm not worried, because it seems, to me, that the business affected are, for the most part, businesses that have had sort of...shady?...lending practices, and they're paying the price for it.

I'm not worried. If Chase, or Banc of America, or the bigger banks that own everything go under, then it'll be something to worry about.

*** in my humble opinion, of course

***

As for my spending habits, I've cut back, but not because of the economy. I'm newly married and we're combining assets and saving for a house, so that's why I cut back. I'm still spending, though. I just bought Beauty Powder from the new MAC for Ungaro Collection (it's absolutely gorgeous!) and I have 2 Sharksin shadesticks held at Nordstroms (because they didn't come in yet >:|) AND I'm going to be getting some new tinted moisturizer, so obviously not slowing down. And the promotion at work didn't hurt, either

 

[GlamYOURUs]

Yes but not just MAC. Everything else. Im trying to save for a new car.

 

[j_absinthe]

Chase...*shudders*

I was actually at a shoot when I found out, and I was heartbroken. Chase has screwed over so many people in my circle, including the company I work for. I'm sure someone's has a decent experience with Chase, I just haven't met them.

I need a new bank!

I will say the way things are going are definitely making me more aware of my spending, MAC included. I don't think this will be another depression the scale of the early 1900s, but these are times to be economically cautious.

 

[Susanne]

For me it is kind of "weird" if you can say so what is going on in the US. I am watching the news here every day thinking if this economical crisis in the US can influence us as well.
And I wonder how I would feel if my bank would be sold

 

[carrieann07]

I just bought a new car. So if anything the $367 monthly payment is slowing(not stopping) my MAC expenditures. Plus I just had to invest in a new Macbook. The economy has been on my mind now more than ever. I have a few other thing's I can lay off of before I'd have to stop buying MAC.

 

[lethaldesign]

I definitely feel I have become more... "cautious" with my spending over the last few months. I still spend though, although I do try to keep myself in a budget instead of splurge so much.

I work for Countrywide (now Bank of America) so I'm in the middle of this financial crisis here in the US. My department has gone from 28 people down to 5 people in the past 8 months. I consider myself lucky that I am still even receiving a paycheck at this point. My department has been transferred to a separate division that has tons of work right now so I feel somewhat safe. But really... who knows.

I bank with WaMu (or... did?) but I will be changing banks ASAP because I am not a fan of Chase.

 

[hr44]

I know some of us in CA are going to take it into some consideration starting Jan-June when the government is sooo kindly doubling up our taxes to "balance out" the budget.
That hurts many of us even if in June they are going to reduce the tax rate to make it the same tax amount it's always been. (So like double tax Jan-June and then 1/4th (I believe) June-Dec)
It still hurts the first six months when you're going to make sure every penny is accountable to all necessary expenditures.

 

[coachkitten]

Frankly I have started cutting back on MAC quite sometime ago. And now with this whole economy stuff I have started to really re-think what I buy in all aspects. I still buy MAC but I don't buy as much as I did a year or two ago.

 

[Simply Elegant]

No I still buy just as much as before which wasn't that much to begin with.

 

[abbyquack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_absinthe Chase...*shudders* Chase has screwed over so many people in my circle, including the company I work for. I'm sure someone's has a decent experience with Chase, I just haven't met them.

Oh good, so I'm not the only one who dislikes Chase? I had a cc from them a while back and they were absolutely the rudest, worst people in the world to deal with. I will be switching to a CU shortly...

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrieann07 I just bought a new car. So if anything the $367 monthly payment is slowing(not stopping) my MAC expenditures. Plus I just had to invest in a new Macbook.

Macbooks are worth cutting down on MAC expenditures...just barely, but they are worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachkitten Frankly I have started cutting back on MAC quite sometime ago. And now with this whole economy stuff I have started to really re-think what I buy in all aspects. I still buy MAC but I don't buy as much as I did a year or two ago.

It's weird for me, because I am currently just living off summer savings while I finish school, but in a few months, I will be needing a job and I'm worried mostly about the outlook in the job market. Right now, my MAC is budgeted in with the money I saved, so I am not worrying too much, but then I'm like, should I save my money instead, as a buffer in case I can't find a job? I keep thinking about the Great Depression and how people didn't even have jobs which was one of the worst parts of it. It wasn't that they were making little money, a lot weren't making ANY money. I don't want to be in that position! But then all those pretty MAC products keep talking me out of being smart and sensible.

 

[TISH1124]

Even though my dh and I make a good living...we have still consciously started to cut back and pinch here and there because no matter what you make, and how you feel your salary is great.. if the economy keeps rising it will not be enough. So we are putting back the extra income we have for when the extra is needed to pay for our daily rising cost of living. Although, I am putting back..I still manage to splurge on some things but not as bad as I normally would.

 

[elegant-one]

Our personal businesses (& our sons) have made record profits the past two years, and for mine personally, I have had two record months. My manufacturer has been working 16 hours a day to keep up with orders. Having said that, I have cut back in some areas but thoughtfully plan out my new MAC purchases. I will splurge on Ungaro & Red She Said *sigh*
We are however, focusing on saving more & more money each month.

 

[lalunia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Elegant No I still buy just as much as before which wasn't that much to begin with.

Same here. I work pt and was never really able to afford thaaaat much

Although I feel guiltier now than I did before. Im in college now and want to study abroad in January. Im worried that my parents will not be able to help me as much as I hoped they would becuse my dad's business is slowing down. I'm a finance major as well so who knows if I will have a job once I graduate in 2 years? there are so many people competing for the same positions that I wonder if my 25k per year for school is worth it

 

[AdlersMommy22]

I waitress and frankly- we havent seen ANY decrease in sales... people are STILL going to come out to eat (but maybe not as much)... but not EVERYONE is crazy affected by this crisis.... Im still making $300-500 a week working 3 days a week.... thats the good thing about waitressing-- no matter what happens- i can always pick up a shift and make some extra cash-

I dont spend THAT much on MAC anyways- i have to have a good buffer incase my son's father decides to come after custody of him to spite me into not going after child support (he hasnt even seen him since he was born 6 months and 1 day ago).. so ight now im trying to put my money back for court costs IF that happens... but i still spend $100ish on MAC a month.. besides this month. this month i splurged. And i liiiiiiiked it!

 

[elegant-one]

I just wanted to encourage all who may feel fearful about their economic situation. I'm one of the oldest here on the board, and I can tell you that in my lifetime (married almost 30 years) I have been through 5 job losses by my husband - none due to any fault of his own - but simply a normal fluctuation of business changes.

Each of theses changes were very difficult, painful and stressful, however, looking back now, they were opportunities to grow and to actually gain experience & a chance to find a personal gifting & abilities actually leading us to stable business understanding & ownership for over a 12 year period.

I hope this may possibly help someone.

 

[silverbelle282]

i have definitely begun cutting down on my spending since i'm only working part time and looking for a full time position. it's only been about two weeks, but i've begun to bring meals from home, even coffee, and stopped eating out unnecessarily. even when i do go out with friends, i am more cautious. this economy is totally freaking me out.

i was shopping my stash until starflash, when i bought a bunch of stuff, and now i am really regretting it. i just went through all my stuff, and was *almost* disgusted by how much i had, yet how little i have prepared for/i.e., saved for, my future. i've also started reading financial blogs online and have realized that i need to have a savings account, and emergency money, put aside before i can afford to buy mac (or anything else that isn't a necessity) again.