hammer & screwdriver index: people preferring to do DIY instead of calling a repairman
band-aid index: for countries without fre national health, prefer to sort injuries themselves instead of visiting a doctor
woolly sweater index: people wear thick clothing at home instead of using the central heating
hand-me-down index: people getting thrifty/charitable with clothing instead of buying new
dish-cloth diaper index: using re-usable washable fabric as diaper/sanitary pads instead of commercial single use products
I both agree and disagree
1. hammer & screwdriver index: people preferring to do DIY instead of calling a repairman
Partly debatable. For example, furniture from Ikea or Jusk - isn't it nice to assemble furniture in a country house with your own hands? It's another matter if you glue broken cups together because you can't buy them ...
2. band-aid index: for countries without free national health care, prefer to sort injuries themselves instead of visiting a doctor.
I agree for the most part. Doctors are doctors to make the right diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment. Self-medication is a bad option.
3. woolly sweater index: people wear thick clothing at home instead of using the central heating
A controversial index I know that in northern countries it is normal not to turn on the radiators 100% and just wear warmer clothes at home. It's more a matter of habit. But if people wear hats at home, it means there is a problem with heating, or rather the ability to pay for this service.
4. hand-me-down index: people getting thrifty/charitable with clothing instead of buying new
Reasonable consumption is normal ! Buying a bunch of goods to throw half of them away is not logical and wrong.
5. dish-cloth diaper index: using re-usable washable fabric as diaper/sanitary pads instead of commercial single use products.
I agree, this is an indicator of lack of money and difficult economic situation, because these are essential goods, and in a normal situation they are available and not expensive.
I would add :
- change of food basket and diet - shift to cheap food, including concentrates, where there are a lot of carbohydrates and starches, but little vegetables, fruits and meat.
- Withdrawal from quality medicines
- inability to pay for basic utilities.
- self-repair of clothes instead of buying new ones
- Reducing expenditures on recreation and entertainment