We asked 10 people to name the one thing they’d never do without, no matter how bad the economy gets, and the one sacrifice they’re mulling over — or perhaps have already made. Here’s what they had to say.
Karyn Dawidowicz, 31, of Rogers Park
Greeter for Shoreline Chicago tours
Won’t give up: “Red wine, wine, just having wine on hand. I’ve just gotten into the habit of having a glass of wine with dinner. It’s a perk and I love to have a bottle or two around the house.”
Would give up: “Starbucks. The latte factor is huge right now. It’s easy for me to hit $3 or $4 a pop, four or five times a day. That’s why I’ve got my water bottle with me. But I can see Starbucks right across the street from here and it’s killing me.”
Andrea Leavey, 43, of Wilmette
Just finished her PhD in 20th Century English literature
Won’t give up: “For someone like me, it’s buying books — anything like that related to my work. I just got this great Shakespeare poster with quotes filling the drawing.”
Would give up: “Driving. I’m quite happy to take more public transit, spend less time in traffic.”
Erica Balint, 33, and Robert Balint, 37, of Pittsburgh
Erica is a social worker, Robert a banker
Won’t give up: “We refuse to give up taking vacations. We thoroughly enjoy it and, at this point, the recession hasn’t impacted us — yet.”
Would give up: “Eating out. We don’t really need to do it as often as we do, about 8 to 10 times a month. If we had to give up something, that would definitely be it.”
Danielle Grospitch, 26, of Niles
Homemaker
Won’t give up: “Shelter — the house we live in. We’re renting and it’s in a great location. I’d take on a roommate, but I wouldn’t move out.”
Would give up: “I adore and love my car; I have a 2007 Mini Cooper, blue with white bonnet stripes. I would not want to give that up — it’s so much fun — but if I had to, I would.”
Jennifer Laudadio, 32, of Winston-Salem, N.C.
Pathologist
Won’t give up: “Nice dinners out. I don’t have to cook or clean up and I get to spend time with my husband.”
Would give up: “We travel a lot and that might have to get cut back.”
Sue Mullins, 33, of St. Louis
Flower shop clerk and delivery person
Won’t give up: “I refuse to give up music, live and recorded. I’m a metal person and it gives me a release from all the tension in the world. It’s an escape.”
Would give up: “Starbucks. It’s just ridiculous to pay $4 for a drink.”
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Parul Agarwal, 30, of downtown Chicago
Second-year MBA student at the University of Chicago
Won’t give up: “I have to complete my degree. A lot of hard investment has already gone into it and it won’t depreciate in value.”
Would give up: “There are a lot of things that would make a difference. I might move to a smaller apartment to cut down on rent.”
Kat Kalmanek, 26, of Streeterville
Physician
Won’t give up: “Pedicures. I got one today. It feels good and it’s relaxing.”
Would give up: “I don’t think I’d take a spontaneous trip to Mexico or wherever, and I used to do that before.”
Kelly Lenard, 22, of Lincoln Square
Unemployed event planner
Won’t give up: “Going to the bar. I was talking about this with my friends the other night, that even if there’s no money and I’m unemployed, I still love to go out and socialize.”
Would give up: “Lavish gifts for friends. I used to buy a lot of gifts and pay $50 — it wouldn’t matter. Now, it’s a card, or donating event planning services. Or a shared experience, like going to a bar.”
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