Times are tough. The current state of the economy may have improved slightly since everyone’s favorite “Barack” took office, but that doesn’t mean the financial crunch hasn’t dramatically affected the way we live our lives. A recent survey conducted by the enterprising folks at FindLaw.com has found that one in five Americans are eschewing life altering changes such as getting knocked up, being tied to an old ball and chain or severing ties with said old ball and chain in these times of budgetary constraints.

Maybe it just means that one in five Americans are becoming better attuned to the fact that they should engage in less conspicuous consumption.

While some may look at this from a glass half empty perspective, decrying the fact that Americans have less money to spend, maybe it just means that one in five Americans are becoming better attuned to the fact that they should engage in less conspicuous consumption.

After all, if you have less money, you should probably spend it on the things you actually need. If you need the $1000 in your bank account to pay the rent, you probably shouldn’t spend it on the exotic dancer you’re going to propose marriage to after a few drinks and three lap dances in the first place. The flipside of the survey is to say that four out of five Americans have yet to be tapped by the common sense fairy in lieu of the fact that a change in income should probably result in a few lifestyle changes.