As mothers carefully budget for their families, they are sacrificing purchases that are for their own use in order to ensure their families get what they need, according to a study by the Marketing to Moms Coalition. 

Overall, moms are sacrificing quality for value in everyday expenditures, especially their own. Nearly three-quarters (72%) say they have compromised on the quality of new clothes they buy for themselves, and 51% say they cut back on the quality of their health-and-beauty products.

Yet the majority of mothers say they are not reducing the quality of their children's' food, medical needs, or clothing. Nevertheless, mothers are watching family budgets carefully:

• 78% have cut back on household spending this year.
• More than half are making special trips to retailers that offer the best price.
• 58% are making more home-cooked meals.
• 77% are using more leftovers.

 Other key findings:

• 61% of moms are focused on the environment this year.
• 39% of moms use Facebook; 11% use Twitter.
• A majority of moms plan to spend more than $600 on holiday gifts this year.