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Consumer spending

What's your vice? That might depend on your generation

by Caleigh Wells
Feb 7, 2025
84% of adults spend money on alcohol, tobacco, drugs or gambling, according to a new Bankrate study.
Alcohol is more popular among older generations and those with higher incomes, said a new Bankrate report.
Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images
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Consumer spending was — once again — key to GDP growth last quarter

by Mitchell Hartman
Jan 31, 2025
Economic growth came in pretty strong for the fourth quarter. GDP rose at an annual rate of 2.3%. And consumer spending rose 4.2%.
Spending on durable goods — items designed to last, like cars, TVs and washing machines — was up 12% in Q4 2024, the biggest quarterly jump since early 2023.
Kamil Krzaczynski/Getty Images
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GDP shows spenders keep spending despite high interest rates

by Kristin Schwab
Jan 30, 2025
Economic growth was healthy in 2024, coming in at 2.8% compared to 2.9% in 2023. The continuing expansion is driven by consumers.
Many Americans have continued to spend at a healthy clip, fueled by wages, stocks and real estate.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
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Consumers are still strong, despite rising debt delinquencies

by Justin Ho
Jan 22, 2025
Though many households are faltering on credit card and auto loan payments, wealthier Americans are keeping the spending metrics robust.
Wealthier consumers are lifting the U.S. economy's healthy spending metrics.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images
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Consumers are still spending a lot — but there's a political divide

by Mitchell Hartman
Jan 21, 2025
As the second Trump administration begins, people have kept up their spending — but not all for the same reasons.
Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images
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Consumers bolster spending figures but carry more debt

by Kristin Schwab
Jan 17, 2025
December sales figures showed spending was strong, but more consumers are using credit cards and buy now, pay later programs to finance purchases.
As retail spending remains steady, consumers are taking on more debt through use of credit cards and buy now, pay later programs.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images
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Buy now, pay later programs — useful tool or slippery slope?

by Savannah Peters
Jun 18, 2024
At a time of high prices and interest rates, BNPL offerings are tempting. But they could lead vulnerable consumers into a debt spiral.
BNPL users generally carry more debt and have less money in the bank, according to research from the Boston Fed.
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The art of the private label brand

by Matt Levin
Mar 5, 2024
And why Target considers them key to keeping customers spending.
Private label sales reached an all-time high in 2023. Target has over 45 of its own private label brands.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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What do falling inflation and rising incomes mean for consumer spending?

by Justin Ho
Feb 29, 2024
The January PCE report showed inflation easing further but still significant. Moderation in spending could also continue, analysts say.
Wage growth was resilient in January, but Social Security and other factors added to income gains.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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In the “girl” era, are women really splurging for fun?

by Jordan Mangi
Feb 29, 2024
Economic disadvantages like the wealth gap persist, despite talk of the “she-conomy."
Since the pandemic began, single women and other lower-wealth groups saw larger percentage gains in their wealth than their higher-wealth counterparts. Hernández Kent said that’s primarily because it’s easier to double a small amount of money.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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