Americans Are Spending More but Feeling Worse — 6 Numbers Behind the Disconnect

Americans are spending more even as consumer confidence falls, with inflation, slower wage growth, lower savings and rising credit card balances helping explain the disconnect – Shutterstock

Americans are spending more, but the mood surrounding money keeps getting darker. The latest data show a strange split: household spending continues to climb, while confidence, savings and financial expectations tell a much less cheerful story.

That disconnect makes more sense after looking at six numbers. Together, they show how households can spend more dollars without actually feeling richer.