With current economic situation around the world and our home front, many would consider it crazy to spend more money shopping for things instead of saving it. However, this unique time also presented us with many unexpected deals from fashion sales to home sales and even to auto sales.

Here are the facts we see daily:

• Many clothing stores are offering up to 50% off before Christmas and some are even offering bonus $25 gift certificate when you only spent $50. If you need to buy new clothes, why not!
  • Boxing days sales are expected to be up to 80% off for many stores.
    
• Car manufacturers and dealers are offering evening bigger discount across their overstocked inventories - 0% on 60 months financing, up to $10,000 savings on trucks.
  • Trucks are gas guzzler but we have to remember that there are business that need trucks. We need trucks to delivery our goods and products, trucks to shovel our snow, and many others. On the other hand, pick up trucks for regular household or just for the cool factor should rethink with something that is more environmental friendly and sound, no to mention the gas bill hitting the pocket.
    
  • As to whether any of the manufacturers will go bye-bye, chances are there will be and changes to the industry will happen. There are enough cars out there that even GM or Chysler is out of business, there will be companies that will service their products because there is money to be made.
• Home sales in Toronto are 50% of last year and the number of listings is up by approximate 50% compared to 2007. Pricing is approximate down 10% from 2008 to 2007 however, when compared to 2006, it is up 10%. This means buyers will enjoy a lower purchasing price with more selections.
  • If you are in the market for a home and can afford, go for it and mortgage insurance maybe something that will ease your mind and worries. At the end of the day, you are either paying your own mortgage or paying someone's else via the rent you pay. Real estate is always considered as a safer investment in the long run compare to the stock market where you net worth can be wiped out in an hour. 

No matter what we do and what is going on around us, we do need to shop for our necessities. Instead, we might want to consider postponing the nice big Plasma TV and use the money to pay down the mortgage or buy new clothes for the hash winter we are having in Toronto. 

We are in an unique situation with economy in the downward spiral along with our enivronment and to fix things we need more cash and are limited. In the most simpliest way, we just need to be cautious and pay more attentions to whether it is a must have or something nice to have and what is a reasonable approach so that we all can get back to a sustainable finanical situation - charging for plastic grocey bags instead of giving a discount to shoppers in hope of saving the environment is certainy one of them but that's another topic to debate about.