>>>
started offering their holiday discounts.
>>>
so, in this struggling economy will americans be looking to spend less and get more for their buck this
holiday season
? according to the results of a new
readers digest
aol poll the answer is resounding yes. joining me to talk about that poll, janice lieberman, correspondent and
readers digest
contributor a. good morning to you. the numbers aren't great when you talk about the numbers of people spending less? let's look at the poll number. 4% say they are spending more but 73% say uh-uh, i'm spending less.
>>
that's outrageous but it makes sense. i think people understand that when they get the gifts, they aren't going to expect these huge gifts. they expect modest or homemade gifts. you don't want your friends and family spending a lot.
>>
you're going to feel badly if you do. what about what i worry about is the charitable giving which is always such a big component of this season. that going down when in fact, it doesn't look so bad.
>>
how about half the people said they are going to give money or give of their time which is wonderful. we're opening our hearts, seeing our neighbors and friends in
dire straits
, you know, we want to do with our families, maybe serve at a food kitchen or something to teach our children the value of money.
>>
you know who is going to get from the gift list off the tom, the boss. not being a gift nick. the boss does not get a gift. that's the first person cut.
>>
were you surprised?
>>
no, except if you have a job you might think of continuing to give.
>>
but you know what came in neck and neck, which the
best friend
by a point, won over the spouse if you had to cut.
>>
probably make it easier to deal with the spouse in terms of negotiating.
>>
this is a family gift, you know. you don't need anything, you have me.
>>
who is the me that people want to go shopping with the most?
>>
wouldn't you think, the choices include
martha stewart
who knows value and would beat everybody. but no, ellen won. and you thought that she would be really fun to shop with.
>>
we were talking. she would be a hoot.
>>
and
paris hilton
.
>>
not so much. she would be looking at unbelievably priced things.
>>
and she's too skinny. you don't want the bigger size when she gets a zero.
>>
what about an item that people are going to splurge on?
>>
electronics. you can see that's the hot thing t the ipods,
flat screen
tvs. even though they are pricey, it's something everyone can enjoy, can be a family gift and it's going to last a long time. it's not a flash in the pan. it's not just one sweater you have to have.
>>
what about the prices of those things? they have come down, right? they reflect the economy.
>>
they have come down, and some say wait until after
super bowl
to buy a
flat screen
tv. there are boast busters, all kinds of sales. now might be the time.
>>
what do you think in terms of the aftermath when we look back at this
holiday season
, are we going to say you know what was surprisingly good? you think that's possible?
>>
because you're hearing all of the down news. i did a story at the outlets the other day. it was packed so there are people shopping. they are looking for bargain, 51% say they are going to look at
discount stores
and they aren't going to get as many coupons and slash downs at the major
retail stores
because they bought lower inventory. they were worried about what's happening this
holiday season
so. if you're looking for the coat that you really, rae want and you're waiting for it to be slashed at macy's, it might not be there.
>>
go for it when you see it. janice, i'd go
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