Daily Self Spending Consistent

Americans' daily self-reports of spending averaged $88 in September, essentially the same as the $89 found in August. Spending has been fairly consistent since April, hovering around $90. The current figure is similar to the $87 found in September 2014, but is higher than the September averages from 2009 through 2013, which were all below $85. Gallup has not found a consistent pattern in spending changes from September to October. But spending tends to increase in November as the holiday shopping season begins.

Consumer spending in the U.S. has been fairly stable since April of this year, and going by previous years, it is likely to stay in this range until the start of the holiday shopping season. But developments in the U.S. economy could change that. In particular, the September jobs report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday fell short of expectations. The 3rd quarter GDP report to be released in late October may also influence Americans' perceptions of the strength of the U.S. economy, potentially influencing their spending choices. Gallup has found Americans have been a bit more positive about their finances thus far in 2015 compared with prior years and that, too, could affect their willingness to spend

Definition:
Gallup's self-reported Consumer Spending measure is based on a question that Gallup tracks daily, asking a nationally representative sample of about 500 adults, aged 18 and older, and reports monthly based on approximately 14,000 interviews. Gallup asks Americans each day to estimate the amount of money they spent "yesterday," excluding the purchase of a home, an automobile or normal household bills. The survey is conducted with respondents contacted on landlines and cellphones