A year for economically handicapped

So as far as i can tell, 2009 has not been the greatest year economically since the market crashes in the late year of 2008. Knowing the struggles and losses of many peoples finances and jobs around the world, how does people still manage to stay afloat traveling around the world. Well it is quite easy; first of all, we eat unbranded foods under a dollars worth, we live off the hostpitality of people we know, and we dont give much of any thought as to how big our debt will be by the time we get home. Now i say debt, because i know ill be in one and so does everyone else ive met traveling by the time we all get home. The question remains however, how large or significant will that debt be? Do we resent the need to buy cool and quite unnecessary things, or do we scrap all resistance and give in to our evolving greed and consumerism and just say, "you only live ones"... or in swedish "men anda"!
I guess it all depends on what person you are, for me however, im not quite sure where i stand. I havent been the craziest of spenders for box bound memorabelia, but i do feel a burning sensation in my pocket everytime i walk into a clothing or generally surf natured store with cool tshirts, wetsuits, glasses, or surfboards. Choosing my word carefully now, i do not know where my wallet will lead me in the forthcoming days, but i do hope it gets me home with a smile on my face ; )!

p.s Santa Barbara is awesome