NYCity Snapshot: Spending Takes a Holiday

Times are tough all over -- and for many New Yorkers spending is taking a holiday this year.

Reporters from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism's NYCity News Service hit the streets and asked scores of residents throughout the five boroughs: "How will the economy affect your holidays plans?"

A majority of respondents to ToilTown's NYCity Snapshot multimedia survey said they planned to spend less this year than last on presents, holiday celebrations and travel.

"Tips are tight because everybody's broke," said Stephanie Coughlan, a 29-year-old waitress from Brooklyn.

Some said they are being forced to cut back because of unemployment or a loss in work hours. "We might have been able to eat rice and beans and steak, but now it's just rice and beans," said Marco Quinones, 47, of the Bronx.

Others' holiday wishes had little to do with visions of sugarplums and gift-wrapped presents under the tree.

"I would like a job for the holidays, man. That'd be nice," said David Harwell, 24, of Brooklyn.

The ToilTown NYCity Snapshot project also includes a brief online survey that puts the question to a larger audience. Fill out the Google form below to add your voice.