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.
About the data: The study was conducted in the second quarter of 2000 by the Marketing to Moms Coalition, an industry group.
