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Las Vegas Residents Spending Less

Donations Going Down

POSTED: 8:34 pm PDT June 18, 2008
UPDATED: 10:53 pm PDT June 18, 2008

Tough economic times are causing people to cut back in more ways than one.

The stock market on Wednesday did not help ease worries. For the second day in a row, the DOW had a triple digit decline.

Gas prices keep shattering records, and food prices keep going up, which doesn't leave much extra spending money.

Las Vegas residents, like the rest of the nation, are donating less and spending less, with one exception. Stores like Savers, a national thrift store chain, said in this tough economy, they're actually doing better.

“We’re not getting as many customers, but the customers that are here are spending more. So, our sales have gone up,” said Savers store manager Lorayne Hunsicker.

She said sales have increased 5 percent in the downtown Las Vegas store.

Otherwise, necessity is the order of the day right now.

“The only thing we're worried about right now is just paying our bills and making sure our daughter has food,” said Valley customer Crystal Netzley.

Driving is also a necessity for most in the Valley.

“I'm afraid to drive anymore, because of the gas prices,” Netzley said.

So, luxury spending is sometimes taking a back seat.

“We get very aggressive with our marketing and our prices. We've also been very competitive, so we feel that gives us an advantage,” said Tiffany Osborn of Radiance Med Spa.

“I get my nails done still, but I try to go to the cheapest place. And other than that, I don't buy a lot of clothes. I have the same clothes since before I was pregnant. So, the economy is crazy,” Netzley said.

The economy is also hurting the biggest charities.

“People are not out there. And if you look at the retail reports, you know that all the major stores are down. Well, if they're down, people are shopping less. If they're shopping less, they're donating less,” said Salvation Army marketing director Charles Desiderio.

The local Salvation Army said it's really hurting right now.

They are asking people to go through their garages or storage areas to see if there is anything they don’t need that the charity could use.

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