How has the economy affected you?

Hi everyone! Please share how is the current economic climate effecting your cel collecting? And if you care to share further, how has the economy effected your lifestyle, schooling, traveling, health, etc.

Definitely NOT trying to pry into your specific finances, just wondering if others are also cutting back due to job and saving concerns. And it wouldn't it be nice to learn from each other too? =)

Also if you have some TIPS you would like to share on how you are coping we would all benefit from hearing. We DEFINITELY all can use the support during these challenging time, right?

Thank you in advance to everyone for making the time to share. This is what a community is really about! =)

Hey mahoro. Haven't seen you post in a while. Hope all is well... I've slowed down in cel collecting not due to the economy but due to taste. I've been thinking of how to further streamline my collection to acquire other wishes but I think that's just normal and not the economy. Perhaps the biggest effect the economy is having on me right now is that I'm postponing large purchases in Japan due to the exchange rate. To answer your question, as of the moment it's not affecting me as much as it did the past year (less "dumb" stress). Stress now is more of the results of being productive due to things requiring more effort and patience. Right now I'm spending more time lending an ear to a few friends who's not adapting very well to the "dumb" type of stress. You know worrying over things you do not have control over.

Hi hajimenokizu! Been trying to stay away from cels and toys in general, but I still picked up one cel from Macross all the same! :P As for the economy I do not think it has affected my purchasing habits at all, since I usually don't buy much. Collecting from older series forces me to become more restrictive so that is a good thing in my opinion! =)

I can relate to the dumb stress. I definitely share those feelings but it is largely in part due to other people. Sometimes it is good to know when to let go and realize you have done all you can to help others; but, if they do not want to help themselves, you have to let go or risk becoming SIRA (aka crazy)!

So what about everyone else?! Come on you lurkers and everyone trying to sell on RS, evilbay and elsewhere... chime in. The community wants to hear your two cents! Cheers! =)

The economy has not affected me that much... Food is really expensive in the stores right now though. :-/ I have had to slow down on buying cels and can not splurge like I used to because I will be paying for my own wedding in about a year. So I have to save and pay off my car within that time period. ~_~

major cel buying slowdown and cut back on comics which bummes me out more then cels honstely unable to sell anything on ebay but i dont think thats due yo the downturn because amzon i can sell a few things here and there