Spending and Saving

Quiz: Which Recession Spender Are You?

Did the recession bring out your inner coupon-clipper? Do you hate not be able to shop for fun? Or are you one of the happy few who hasn’t taken a hit to the bank account and continues to blithely spend?

According to market research firm Decitica, there are four different kinds of consumer personalities coming out of the downturn. (Incidentally, company principal Val Srinivas says he was inspired by Recessionwire. Schweet.) Which type are you? Answer this multiple-choice question to find out:

In terms of spending, what has been your reaction to the downturn?

A) Finally, it’s cool to shop at Goodwill!

B) OMG, it was bad enough to lose my job–now I have to use No Brand shampoo???

C) Eh. Maybe we’ll cut back on eating out. But this too shall pass.

D) Whatever.

If you answered A, you’re a Steadfast Frugalist (i.e., a proud cheapskate). These are people who are happy to buy generic brands, have a system for organizing their coupons and love budgeting.

Choice B lumps you in with Involuntary Penny Pinchers. They’re tightwads too–but not by choice. They’ve been body-slammed by the economy, and maybe were in some debt before the recession even started. They want to spend, but they can’t.

Did you pick C? The Pragmatic Spenders are the people who have cut back a little bit, but will probably go back to their old habits. They also tend to have more money, and be on the older side.

Finally, there the D’s– the Apathetic Materialists. I’m talking to you, Millennials. You didn’t have that much money to begin with, so the recession didn’t change your spending that much.  Um, is that a good thing?

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