Stressed Americans Still Spending Less: Poll

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 1, 2009 5:55 PM CDT
Stressed Americans Still Spending Less: Poll
In this Aug. 12 in file photo, a shopper looks at clothing in a San Jose mall.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)

Americans are stressed about the economy and keeping their wallets shut, says a new ABC/Washington Post poll. While the number of Americans who say the economy is getting better is on the rise, that's not translating into shopping habits. Six in 10 say they feel stressed—half of those describe it as "serious" stress—4 in 10 say they've scrapped plans to buy a car or go on vacation in the last 6 months, and 3 in 10 have put off buying durable goods such as household appliances.

About two-thirds of respondents have cut back on eating out, and half reduced their charitable giving. Younger Americans seems especially shaken, with 61% calling the economy a source of tension, up 13 points from February. Those who see the economy heading in the right direction rose to 27%, but they're still outnumbered by those who see it going the opposite way, at 36%.
(More spending stories.)

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