The Lorton Perspective: The Economy and Your Thanksgiving

How will the economy affect your Thanksgiving this year? Patch asked Lorton residents and visitors today. Here's what they said:

Aaron Shelton, security guard at Gunston Plaza
"It's business as usual at my house. I just moved here from Indiana and things are a whole lot better here, better jobs. I've been here two months and I have two jobs."

Dewitt Myers, owner of At Witt's End barbershop
"After the housing boom, people were spending money frivolously. Not any more. People are much more budget conscious now. A lot of my customers, if they're flying for a trip, they buy themselves tickets six-to-eight months ahead of time... I'm definitely more conscious about the money I spend nowadays. We don't need a huge turkey for just the three of us."

Charles Joe, customer of At Witt's End
"Impulse buying is at a minimum, and we used a lot of coupons for this Thanksgiving. Christmas is the same way for me and my wife. We already know what we're buying. It's not a bad thing. It shows that everyone is learning from their mistakes."

Jannette Coles of Lorton will host 25 people at her house
"I am tightening my belt a little bit this year. I loaded up today at Shoppers Food Warehouse - $169. Everything is tight, but God gave me enough money to pay for my Thanksgiving."

Matthew Cha, 15, of Lorton, will have 20 people at his house for a potluck Thanksgiving
"I don't think the economy is that bad. Costs are kind of going up, food is more expensive and we're spending more."

Nick McDevitt of Lorton
"Usually I fly out to the West Coast to be with my family, but not this year. I've got two kids and my wife and I are staying home. I introduced a friend from Pakistan to the concept of Thanksgiving, and we'll be having chicken instead of Turkey together."