# Credit Crunch Cut-Backs Ways the Recession is Forcing Us to Change the Way We Live By Strawberries and Champagne | Published 2009-03-14 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/money-saving-5-ways-we-are-changing-our-lives-to-cope-with-the-recession References: [mirror](http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/03/12/how-the-recession-is-changing-our-lives-top-15-effects-115875-21191131/) With the recession always at the back of our minds, we are taking things into our own hands to try to save money. These are 5 ways in which people are cutting back during these tough times: 1. Taking showers instead of baths – Reports from [Unilever](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lux) suggest sales of bubble bath are on the decrease. 2. Buying frozen food instead of fresh – Supermarket sales indicate steep rises in purchases of frozen food items. 3. Making your own lunch – Sales of lunch boxes are up 68% at [Robert Dyas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robert-hall) 4. DIY hair dying – Home hair dye kit sales are up 27% 5. Tap water instead of [expensive bottled water](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wenlock-spring) – Sales of bottled water have dropped 15% over the past year. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.4/10 - Popularity: 1% | Activity: 4% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Shift to Showers:** Opportunity for innovative shower products and water-saving technologies. - **Rise of Frozen Food:** Potential for new frozen food brands and convenient frozen meal options. - **Increase in DIY Hair Care:** Space for at-home hair dye kits and DIY haircare tutorial platforms. ### Who This Affects Most - **Bathroom Products:** Disruption potential in eco-friendly shower products and water-efficient fixtures. - **Food and Beverage:** Opportunity for frozen food manufacturers and retailers to meet growing demand. - **Personal Care:** Market potential for at-home hair dye brands and haircare tutorial platforms. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Comforting Financial Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/experian.md) - [Low-Cost Instant Noodle Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/batchelors-pricemarked-packs.md) - [Anti-Water Waste Cleaning Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waste-no-space-campaign.md) - [Powder-to-Gel Washing Liquids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/homethings.md) - [Stay-at-Home Grocer Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nisa-the-big-deal.md) - [Frozen Food Retailer Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nisa-5-freezer-deal.md) - [Anti-Shrinkflation Body Washes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/harrys-body-wash.md) - [Cost-Effective Confectionery Items](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/world-of-sweets-1.md) - [Cost Savings Grocer Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-year-offers.md)