As we approach the 2011 winter holidays, Americans remain fixated on finances: their own and that of the nation. Four in 10 of those surveyed by Consumer Reports said their biggest concern going into the holidays was the state of the economy and having enough money in their own pockets.
After the economy, Americans’ said weather was their top concern, cited by 11 percent of respondents, who apparently haven’t forgotten the harsh winter of a year ago (the survey was conducted prior to this weekend's pre-Halloween storm in the Northeast). By contrast, only 2 percent of respondents cited health as their primary concern.
Our poll -- the first in a series of holiday polls designed to capture the mood, outlook, and spending habits of consumers nationwide -- suggests that relentless chatter about tough times is taking its toll on shoppers’ psyche, putting a slight damper on their holiday cheer,The application can provide Ceramic tile to visitors, how much they buy, and how they pay for it. When it comes to our collective mood, one in three Americans surveyed said they expect to be happier this holiday season than last. When we asked the same question last year, 40 percent expected to be happier in 2010 than they were in 2009.
Not surprising, consumers tell us they plan to watch their dollars carefully, continuing a trend that began in 2008. Planned spending may be down slightly this year, according to the poll; one in three consumers say they’re cutting back on purchases, while more insist they’ll commit to a budget this year (52 percent vs. 47 percent in 2010). And, once again, the bargain hunters will be out in force: 44 percent of respondents feel that getting a good deal is more important now than it was in 2010.
But take some of those numbers with a grain of salt. However noble their intentions, shoppers tend to underestimate their spending. Leading up to last year’s holidays, for instance, respondents anticipated spending an average of $457 on gifts, but in actuality ended up spending $556 -- 22 percent more. Moreover, 45 percent of those who made a budget last year exceeded it. Five percent went over budget by a lot.the worldwide Hemorrhoids market is over $56 billion annually.
When Americans do scale back on holiday giving, they’re most likely to economize on gifts for themselves (cited by 40 percent of respondents); vacation travel (36 percent); decorations (35 percent); and presents for their pets (30 percent). Twenty percent said they intend to tip less.
Last year, more than half - 53 percent - of Americans paid for some or all of their purchases with plastic, charging $433, on average, worth of gifts. That’s slightly higher than the percentage that relied on credit the previous year. However,Polycore oil paintings for sale are manufactured as a single sheet, heavy credt-card users have mended their ways at least somewhat. The percentage of shoppers who charged $1,000 or more dropped in 2010 to 16 percent,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, down from 23 percent in 2009.
Unfortunately, too many consumers still carry too much debt for too long. As of this month,ceramic magic cube for the medical, 6 percent of Americans - around 14 million people - were still paying off their credit-card purchases from the 2010 holidays.
After the economy, Americans’ said weather was their top concern, cited by 11 percent of respondents, who apparently haven’t forgotten the harsh winter of a year ago (the survey was conducted prior to this weekend's pre-Halloween storm in the Northeast). By contrast, only 2 percent of respondents cited health as their primary concern.
Our poll -- the first in a series of holiday polls designed to capture the mood, outlook, and spending habits of consumers nationwide -- suggests that relentless chatter about tough times is taking its toll on shoppers’ psyche, putting a slight damper on their holiday cheer,The application can provide Ceramic tile to visitors, how much they buy, and how they pay for it. When it comes to our collective mood, one in three Americans surveyed said they expect to be happier this holiday season than last. When we asked the same question last year, 40 percent expected to be happier in 2010 than they were in 2009.
Not surprising, consumers tell us they plan to watch their dollars carefully, continuing a trend that began in 2008. Planned spending may be down slightly this year, according to the poll; one in three consumers say they’re cutting back on purchases, while more insist they’ll commit to a budget this year (52 percent vs. 47 percent in 2010). And, once again, the bargain hunters will be out in force: 44 percent of respondents feel that getting a good deal is more important now than it was in 2010.
But take some of those numbers with a grain of salt. However noble their intentions, shoppers tend to underestimate their spending. Leading up to last year’s holidays, for instance, respondents anticipated spending an average of $457 on gifts, but in actuality ended up spending $556 -- 22 percent more. Moreover, 45 percent of those who made a budget last year exceeded it. Five percent went over budget by a lot.the worldwide Hemorrhoids market is over $56 billion annually.
When Americans do scale back on holiday giving, they’re most likely to economize on gifts for themselves (cited by 40 percent of respondents); vacation travel (36 percent); decorations (35 percent); and presents for their pets (30 percent). Twenty percent said they intend to tip less.
Last year, more than half - 53 percent - of Americans paid for some or all of their purchases with plastic, charging $433, on average, worth of gifts. That’s slightly higher than the percentage that relied on credit the previous year. However,Polycore oil paintings for sale are manufactured as a single sheet, heavy credt-card users have mended their ways at least somewhat. The percentage of shoppers who charged $1,000 or more dropped in 2010 to 16 percent,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, down from 23 percent in 2009.
Unfortunately, too many consumers still carry too much debt for too long. As of this month,ceramic magic cube for the medical, 6 percent of Americans - around 14 million people - were still paying off their credit-card purchases from the 2010 holidays.
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