American's Daily Self-Spending Increases Slightly

Americans' daily self-reports of spending increased slightly to an average of $84 in February, up from $81 in January. February's average of $84 is similar to spending levels recorded in the same month from 2013 to 2015. However, it is a significant improvement from February averages below $65 found from 2009 through 2012, as the nation struggled to emerge from the Great Recession and financial crisis. The February 2008 average, $106, is one of the highest monthly averages Gallup has found over the past eight years.

Average spending hovered around $90 for most of 2015, although the January and February averages were significantly lower and the December average was significantly higher than other months. Spending peaked last year at $99 in December, one of the highest averages for any month since 2008.