Prices for food at home declined in November while price pressures on households remained focused in medical care and prescription drugs—according to the latest U.S. consumer price numbers. The decline in food prices (-0.3%) from October to November will continue to…
Household spending perked up at grocery, big-box, and apparel stores in November. But the overall pace of retail spending remains modest and skewed toward certain places—especially online. The holiday-related uptick is evident in month-to-month growth (i.e., October to November). However, growth…
Overall, the latest jobs data give us reason to feel better that more prosperous days lie ahead. But that’s more true for some people and places than others—as has been the ongoing pattern in recent years. If you benefit from job…
It’s a good time to travel abroad and buy abroad. The world is on sale as costs in most countries decline as a result of a stronger U.S. dollar. See the table summary. The window of opportunity should stay open into…
Household confidence remained on a slippery slope in November, but does not suggest a change in the modest outlook for household spending—according to a first look at the latest U.S. confidence measures. The significance of a falloff in consumer confidence reported…
Spend more on school books. Save on school clothes. Those are among the spending choices facing households as suggested by the latest numbers on U.S. consumer prices. Eggs, child care, hospital services, and prescription drugs are among the other specific categories—besides…
Save here. Spend there. That’s the ongoing pattern in the latest retail sales numbers. It suggests a disciplined approach to household budgets remains the rule—even when households might be able to afford more. Households continue to spend at a relatively weak-to-modest…