How do Poles cut expenses during the crisis? Cooking at home and saving groceries

For 83 percent Poles' difficult financial situation would mean more economical grocery shopping – according to an IBRiS study for Santander Consumer Bank. Respondents would also spend less on entertainment and clothes, cook at home instead of going to restaurants, and sell unused items.

“Poles in a crisis situation would consider reorganizing their home budget, among others by analyzing expenses more carefully, temporarily giving up major purchases or looking for space to save,” noted the authors of the study.

According to them, one of the declared actions in a difficult financial situation is to limit spending on entertainment, cinema, theater or going out with friends, as indicated by 81%. subjects. These were more often seniors (95% of people in this group) than people aged 18-29 (62%). Respondents would also waive some of their fixed fees and subscriptions (82%).

In turn, for 83 percent respondents' difficult financial situation would mean more frugal grocery shopping. These are mainly residents of medium-sized cities (92%), seniors (93%) and respondents who assess their financial situation as bad or rather bad (86%).

“The approach to clothing purchases is similar – 85 percent of respondents would postpone such expenses,” the authors of the study pointed out. As they added, the greatest readiness to give up such expenses was declared by 30-year-olds (89%) and people aged 40-49 (93%), and the least willing to give up such expenses were those aged 18-29 (69%).

Another strategy indicated by study participants is lifestyle change, e.g. 88%. respondents would choose cooking at home instead of going to a restaurant and repairing equipment instead of buying a new one. Another 67 percent would sell unused items from home. “This strategy is chosen more often by women (74 percent) than men (60 percent). As income increases, this tendency decreases – in the group earning up to PLN 2,999 net, the percentage reaches 77 percent, while in the group earning over PLN 7,000 net – it is 67 percent.” – noted the authors of the study.

72% would look for occasional work, although these would mainly be people who assess their financial situation as good (80%). Among those who rate it as bad or rather bad, 26 percent indicates readiness to look for additional income, while over half (53%) would definitely not take such action.

The study was conducted by the Institute of Market and Social Research (IBRiS) on January 4-12, 2026 on a group of 1,000 adult Poles. (PAP)

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