Kiwis to continue thrifty lifestyles

Many New Zealanders who tightened their purse strings during the past year say they plan to keep them that way.

The latest Nielsen global consumer confidence survey found that 65 per cent of New Zealanders cut back on household expenses and treats in the past 12 months, slightly lower than the global average of 70 per cent.

They were staying home more, buying cheaper groceries, using the car less, cutting back power usage, eating fewer takeaways and wearing fewer new clothes.

And almost all vowed to keep up at least some of their prudent new habits even when economic conditions improved, Nielsen said.

The most common target for cuts was takeaway meals, with 65 per cent spending less on fast food. And 40 per cent said they would continue to reduce takeaway consumption when the recession eased.

Also 54 per cent were cutting down on out-of-home entertainment, and 20 per cent said they would continue to spend more evenings in after the recession.

Of those who had made cuts, 63 per cent switched to cheaper grocery brands in the past year, and a third vowed to make that change permanent.

Nearly two-thirds of the cost-cutters were trying to decrease gas and electricity bills, and 55 per cent were planning to keep that up after the recession.

Sixty per cent were spending less on new clothes, with 28 per cent saying they would continue to resist the boutiques when economic conditions improved.

Cars were being used less often by 42 per cent of those who cut costs, and a quarter planned to continue to leave them in the garage more when conditions improved.

But while 39 per cent of the cost-cutters cut down on holiday trips in the past year, only 9 per cent planned to make that a habit.

The survey polled 25,140 consumers in 50 countries, including 500 New Zealanders in April.

- NZPA