Yes, but one big difference between paying for services and paying for goods is that most services ARE a luxury. I don't know prices in other areas of the country, but my cable, internet, and cell add up to around $200 a month. That can buy groceries (GOOD groceries, not junk) for my family of five for a week and a half, or buy good quality shoes for my three kids plus a pair of pants apiece. And that $200 goes out every month. If I were pinching pennies to make ends meet, I'd rather give up my cable, internet, and call, and actually feed and clothe my family.