I spent less during Covid-19

2020 is an extraordinary year. It is a year of Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19 started at the beginning of 2020.

We were told to stay-at-home during two months of Circuit Breaker and Extended Circuit Breaker period from 7 April. Retail shops were closed up to 19 June when Phase 2 of Reopening started.

Countries started to close their borders for international travel between countries. This happened in March until now. Tourist travel came to a halt because of the pandemic.

As a consequence, I expected personal spending would be reduced when compared to previous years. As I looked at the half year to 30 June spending between this year and last year, the results are below.

Personal spending was less by 23.2%. Family spending was less by 30.0%

Though we can still buy things on-line, we spent less unless the thing was essential. We stopped buying things on impulse. We made do with whatever we had in the home. It is a good thing to live with less spending.