I was just wondering....

Since the economy is down, unemployment down, etc.  How is it affecting you hobbiests?

Obviously, everyone is spending less money, I get that, but are there other ways or avenues that you are taking to still see providers?

How hard are you guys really being hit by the economy and I do not mean for anyone to divulge personal information of course.  

I know the thread about lowering rates was beat to death and I do not want to get into that, however would that even make a difference anyway considering the economical situation.  I mean either u have it or u don't?!  

We have to face it that this is going to be happening for quite a while...

Vegas is a very interesting place in times like this...even though there are lots of layoffs, the casinos are still rolling...people still come...people still gamble.

A person once told me....in times of war, need, etc..there are three things that still sell:

booze
sex
and newspapers

Just my two cents...

Great question Roxy. I'd be interested too in hearing how some gents are perhaps scrimping in other areas so they can still hobby.

Thanks!   Yea, no more STARBUCKS!!! HA!

Maybe I am just a novice but I dont think this is an industry that wuld see providers lower their rates because the economy is struggling..At least this would not be a kneejerk reaction to conditions,I would assume that a provider would have to have a extended period of time where she didnt get her regular number of clients before this would be considered.

As a hobbyist I would worry that this might affect the quality of the experiance, the provider certainly wouldn't be happy with having to set a lower rate.

-- Modified on 2/28/2008 10:37:55 AM

No this isnt really a "rate" question...yes we offer specials for example to TER members etc, but i didnt want to get into a rate issue...thanks

Since I'm not a once a week guy, or even once a month, for that matter, it doesn't effect me all that much. I am, however, scrimping right now to save enough for an upcoming trip. I really would like to see ladies on three evenings, but may only be able to do it for two. Boo Hoo, sucks to be me.

drugs, my in-house little person, my happy ending massage giving housekeeper, my regular Thursday Threesome, and several other imaginary vices...LOL

Seriously though, my business has been slow, but I still hobby as much as I can, less than I used to and less than I like, but as much as I can.

I have stopped taking the kids to mickey d's for the happy meals, no movies, no birthdays, xmas, etc. so daddy can still live the life style he is acustom to.
j/k actually I have not had to sell coke bottles or aluminum cans to support my hobby but i cut back on golf and trips that i did not feel were necessary this past year.
uc

And for some reason I have always stuggled when the economy is booming.

Everybody has a different situation. Some hobbyists are struggling while others are not.

People should always have savings in case the economy goes bad though.

If you have heard of the story of the grasshopper and the ant, the ant saves his food for times like this.

The first thing i saw was something about greek and got excited then i saw that damn story. lol

Proof is:

After the New Orleans flood, the 2 business's that opened first were:

Bars
and Stripper Clubs

If you turn your underware inside out, you can wear them for another week before having to wash them.

(be-doom)

But seriously, I got a lesson in dollar stretching from my divorce, so this recession is nothing to me.

I stopped sending my shirts out and now wash and iron myself.  I hate doing it but on the other hand, I haven't had to replace a button in three years.

I stopped going out for lunch and brown bag using leftovers.  I've lost a few pounds and I get sick a lot less often.

I stopped buying sirloin and found that chuck tastes even better if you prepare it right.

I even found that in most cases, the store brand does taste or work as well as the name brand.  (Except for the peanut butter, I'm sticking with Jiff.)

I got rid of the maid and clean the house myself, and you know what?  It's clean now, not like before.

There's always some good to be found in everything, even the bad.

For me, I'm expanding my research to include even deeper scrutiny of reviews, websites, referrals from other hobbyists & talking w/providers in chat.  I am even more now opting
for multiple hour encounters w/my choices-quality
over quantity of encounters.  I've always done my research, but now I don't toftt on marginal
choices.   Gotta make those SensualBucks go for top choices these days and maximise my satisfaction rates.  Also skipping massage parlors & stripclubs  more often

So far no change, however I'm relatively new. Also, this is my only hobby, and it's a high priority. I'm pretty frugal in most other areas of my life.

I guess i am showing my age. we used to sell back to the store aloooooooooooooooooong time ago.
uc

There are alot of good answers, but I think you're looking for how we hobby now vs. when we have more money, not what kind of peanut butter some dude eats.  Some of us try those chat lines or a site like Ashley Madison.  These methods are more hit than miss. Most guys would be better off saving the money spent on those sites and saving.  I'm of the opinion that a great $300 session is better than a sub-par $200 session.

The economy has to contribute to everyone's budget no matter how much you have.  I see three different lovely ladies 2-3 times a month.  The downturn will probably prohibit me from seeking out new providers that I have had my radar up for, on this board, and instead stay with my three lady rotation.  Which one I see more often depends on the give/take between us...I give more and expect the same...if given less, then the exchange determines which one I choose more often rather than on the equal rotational basis, even though there is no one ATF.

for me it's not so much the $$$ being the issue.

Instead, the crappy economy puts a damper on my mood & as a result I find myself less horny!

Because I do not have as much disposable income, I need to make each date count for more.  I find I read more reviews to see if the lady is what I am really looking for.  If I can get consistent 8s and 9s, why pay the same $$$ for some 6s and 7s.  Forget the days of TOFTT.

I also find that I can get what I am looking for at $$$ and i do not need to spend $$$$.  That's 25% more loving.

My job is not in danger.  But my company's share price is down significantly from it's high last year, as are the U.S. stock and most real estate markets.  While this has no effect on me per se except on paper, it is uncomfortable to watch the net worth contract a little. Not to forget mentioning that energy prices and everything else affected by them seemed destined to continue increasing in the near term, and the dollar will likely continue to lose value against other currencies.  One reason why I am diverting some investment capital into alternatives such as commodities and rare coins.  Has this and will it affect hobbying?  Not likely, as in general for me this is a pay as you go activity...keep it within budget, and we should be able to weather the storm while still having fun...

I work in health care, and as such with the baby boomers getting older there is more money in that business now than there has ever been.

b-

People continue to maintain their vices during rough economic times, whether they consist of :sex, gambling, and/or alcohol/drugs.  This is a given!  They may have to curb their expenses, but we human beings are flexible and, um, malleable (lol) to a greater extent than we can fathom.  

We can endlessly find ways to indulge in whatever it takes to get to our happy place, as it were.

Booze, sex and newspapaers? Well, personally, I'm giving up newspapers and doing at least my fair share to make sure I recycle money into the hands of competent, caring providers so they can contribute to the velocity of money to help out our consumer driven economy.

Great question and responses!  

I was curious to read the replies and am honestly a bit relieved to see I am not the only one who continues with her favorite hobbies--concerts and travel!  Mainly, traveling to see my favorite artists perform in concert.  But I, like others, am taking the time to find "deals" on my trips, while before I just picked my favorite hotel or airline and pulled out the debit card.  

But I still get in the first 5 rows of my favorite folk babe!

Eternally an Ani DiFranco-head,
Selena

When my personal economics are either unstable or doing poorly I have less disposable income, so I hobby less frequently. I don't try to economize on rate, or cut the costs by tipping less or whatever, but I also don't consider options that are more expensive than my "typical" session.

  For me if I have to struggle to afford something I enjoy it much less.

  At the moment, despite the much publicized weakness in the economy, my business is booming and if thing hold up we'll have our best year since 2001. Its a bit early to tell how the year will go, but I expect to be able to hobby my brains out, including indulging in my PSE must see list. A welcome change.
-J

Thanks everybody for your input!  So to speak..lol It has helped me see this through your perspective with lots of really great responses!  In times like these we all need some TLC, daty, dfk, .....etc..ha!

Must have my Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Peetes Coffee!! I do not understand this but I love a good cup of coffee after a date...

The slowdown doesnt appear to be impacting the market segments I make my living in. At least not yet. In addition, I do some stock trading to help generate hobby money. My broker noticed the sharp increase in my trading habits about a yr ago. That is when I discoverd the hobby & TER. Fortunatley he is not delving into my intentions..

Those are sensible and optimistic tips, Mrfisher. maybe my punk lifestyle hasn't had me noticing the effects of the economy as much, but still...

It only effected me because I jumped on a foreclosure and had to dump 100k out of pocket for a down payment (officially broke now) - that did yield me a 2500 sq ft place with 4 bedrooms, a master retreat and 2 bath, god bless this crisis. I feel bad for the legitimate 'adjustment' victims but it's done me well...slowed me down to once a month hobbying though.

I don't think it effects them as much as it does other types of business. The industry that I work in also is not effected much, we are seeing even gains year to year.