What will we cut -- manicures or cable?

We're more willing to cut maid service than cell phone service from our budget, a survey released Monday shows.

While facing pay freezes and foreclosures, consumers must make choices on how to save a few bucks. There's items that are untouchable while others are expendable, according to a survey released by the National Retail Federation.

According to the survey, an overwhelming majority of consumers believe that Internet, 81 percent, and cell phone services, 64 percent, are simply off limits. Shoppers also said that cable television, 61 percent; discount shopping for apparel, 43 percent; hair cuts and colors, 40 percent; eating at fast food restaurants, 40 percent; and a new pair of shoes, 24 percent, were on their list of untouchables.

The economy has forced us to find new ways to live and shop, according to Susan Reda, executive editor of Stores magazine.

"However, many consumers can't imagine life without the Internet, text messaging and basic cable," she said.

While some items remain off-limits, Americans have been scaling back with popular indulgences like facials and fine dining taking a back seat while people try to save money.

According to the survey, 92 percent of consumers believe luxury handbags are expendable, followed by satellite radio, specialty shopping for apparel, high-end cosmetics, maid service and facials.

Gender also makes a difference in where to cut.

More women, 70 percent, find cell phone service more untouchable than do men, 58 percent. But more men find fine dining untouchable than do women.

Where we're willing to cut Item Percent Luxury handbag 92 Satellite radio 91 Specialty shopping for apparel 91 High-end cosmetics 91 Maid service 90 Facial 90 Fine dining 89 Manicure/pedicure 88 Upgraded cell phone 88 Club/social membership 88

Where we're not willing to cut Item Percent Internet service 81 Cell phone service (basic) 64 Cable/satellite TV (basic) 61 Discount shopping for apparel 43 Hair cut/color 40 Fast-food restaurant 37 Casual sit-down restaurant 33 Charitable contribution 32 Vacation 30 Fast-casual restaurant 26

Source: BigResearch, American Pulse Survey