November 2011 Financial Security Index » Holiday Spending Holiday spending Job security Savings Debt Net worth Overall financial situation Q: How do you think your holiday spending this year will compare to last year? Do you expect to: Just 31 percent of college grads say they'll spend less on the holidays this year, while 9 percent say they'll spend more. Nearly half of those earning less than $50,000 say they'll spend less on the holidays, versus about 30 percent of those earning more. About 5 percent of Republicans say they'll spend more this year than they did last year, versus 11 percent of Democrats and 13 percent of Independents. James Livingston "Consumers are spending now, but they are not going into debt. They are deleveraging." Only 42 percent will spend less on the holidays this year. That is stunning to me in light of what we know about the economy and what we know about consumers and their confidence in the economy. It's amazing to me that the number is not much higher. Consumers are spending now, but they are not going into debt. They are deleveraging. The debt is still massive, but they may have no recourse or less recourse to credit cards and home equity. That is a big difference. - James Livingston, professor of history at Rutgers University and author of "Against Thrift: Why Consumer Culture is Good for the Economy, the Environment and Your Soul." Financial fix-its 7 ways to make the most of gift cards 5 tips for classy, frugal holiday fun Create holiday magic for less than $15 18 ways to save money during the holidays Holiday happiness: get it all, pay less Home budget calculator « Back to the Financial Security Index poll.
November 2011 Financial Security Index » Holiday Spending
How do you think your holiday spending this year will compare to last year? Do you expect to:
- James Livingston, professor of history at Rutgers University and author of "Against Thrift: Why Consumer Culture is Good for the Economy, the Environment and Your Soul."
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