Stressed Americans Still Spending Less: Poll

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 1, 2009 5:55 PM CDT

(Newser) – 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%.

In this Aug. 12 in file photo, a shopper looks at clothing in a San Jose mall. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)

In this Aug. 29 file photo, shoppers on New York's 34th Street pass a 40% off sales sign in front of a Banana Republic store. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Shoppers walk next to sale sign at a mall in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 3 comments

bacimom

Apr 2, 2009 12:56 PM CDT

Let the GOP bitch and moan... I'm too poor to pay attention.

rocfeeder

Apr 2, 2009 2:42 AM CDT

Consumer confidence is at an all-time low according to Reuters and all sorts of fancy indicators paint a picture of a big, red shiny arrow pointing down re: the economy and consumer confidence. So what do SOME Republicans want to do ? Tighten our belts even further, they say, that's right--they want to invest LESS back in the economy because of the global recession. These guys would rather kiss light bulbs than let the ones in their heads go off and say, "Gee, maybe we should invest more money in the economy than we do in Iraq (the Iraqi number is 10 billion per month by the way) I can't wait until the 2010 elections so more of those guys can join W. back at the ranch...

Derni

Apr 1, 2009 11:39 AM CDT

Gee-the only peole getting money to spend are those that were stealing it and those that own big companies-lower interst rates don't help-people are out of work or worried about losing their job-people don't want to use a crdit card because the Gov't folded on that legistation until next July so these companies can continue to abuse the public and leagally-Wages have not kept up with costs-so don't look for us to start spending until we get a significant amount of $$-money we won't be taxed on-a free stimulus-$40 dollars a month-did you have a head injury? get with it Washington.

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

poll • consumer spending • spending • economy

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Women Drive Recovery, But Dissed By Retail

Biz approach to females: take 'a male product and paint it pink'

Consumer Spending Weakest in 20 Months

May showed first decline since January 2010

59% Will at Least 'Consider' Reelecting Obama

...even though 57% of voters disapprove of his handling of the economy

Consumer Spending Up... Thanks to Gas Prices

Personal income up 0.3%, but inflation hits hard

Economy Grew at 3.2% Rate in Q4

Consumer spending grew at fastest pace in 5 years

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Newser By Users

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