WASHINGTON - The recession has many football fans curtailing their plans when it comes to the Super Bowl.

Pittsburgh Steelers super-fan Wendy Curtin usually spares no expense when it comes to her team.

"I've got my nails done in black and gold," she said. "I've got my #7 Ben Roethlisberger earrings, my Super Bowl 40 watch."

It's the seventh time her Steelers have made it to the Super Bowl, but Curtin will be celebrating with fellow fans in Northern Virginia, rather than heading to the game.

"I just sold a car, and I have the cash to make it to Tampa," she said. "But because I lost about that amount in my 401K, I thought maybe I shouldn't spend the money."

While more people are expected to tune into this year's game than last year's, some Super Bowl parties are on the verge of getting sacked. Jim Chituras plans to keep his party "really simple."

"We might've catered out or something like that [in previous years], but this year, someone's just going to bring... maybe have some chili and hot dogs," he said.

Grocery stores are stocked up for the expected rush later this week. Store managers like Shopper's John Brooks expect to actually see a business boost because of the recession.

"Things like the Super Bowl, and other holidays, more people are staying at home to celebrate," he said. "I think that's definitely helped supermarkets."

TV sales normally see a big increase after the holidays and before the big game. But a national survey indicates things may have leveled off this year, when compared to last year's sales.

All told, direct spending for the Super Bowl is predicted to be 20 percent lower than in a solid economy.

"It's just that this particular year, this particular Super Bowl is going to feel the crunch of the economy," former Super Bowl champion Joe Theissman predicted.

Because shoppers and fans are toning down their plans, many retailers plan to scale-up promotions on everything from televisions to food in efforts to turn around any declining sales.

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