Table of Contents
State of the Economy
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- Economic overview
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- Figure 1: Key economic indicators, August 2018
- Unemployment numbers are decreasing, but wages are not significantly increasing
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- Figure 2: Median household income, 1980-2017*
- Consumer confidence
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- Figure 3: Consumer Sentiment Index, January 2016-August 2018
Current Financial Situation
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- Consumer opinion shows optimism heading into Fall
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- Figure 4: Opinion on current financial situation, August 2018
- Financial situations remain consistent
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- Figure 5: Opinion on current financial situation, Q1 2017-Q3 2018
- Suburban consumers most confident about their finances
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- Figure 6: Opinion on current financial situation, by geographic region, August 2018
Changes in Financial Wellbeing
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- Financial optimism reflected in looking to the future
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- Figure 7: Changes in financial wellbeing, August 2018
- Most consumers still see little to no change, but confidence rebounds to earlier levels
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- Figure 8: Changes in financial situation, Q1 2017-Q3 2018
- Urban, rural consumers are most positive for the upcoming year
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- Figure 9: Changes in financial situation, by geographic region, August 2018
Improving Finances
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- Consumers continue to rely on what they can control
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- Figure 10: Top ways to improve financial situation, August 2018
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- Figure 11: PayPal back to school email, September 2018
- Job stability jumps in popularity for Q3
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- Figure 12: Top ways to improve financial situation, Q1 2017-Q3 2018
- Geography affects opinions on improving economic situation
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- Figure 13: Improving financial situation, by geographic region, August 2018
Spending Plans
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- Consumers continue to cut back on spending to add to savings
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- Figure 14: Savings habits, Q1 2017-Q3 2018
- Home renovations continue to be biggest expense
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- Figure 15: Spending habits, Q1 2017-Q3 2018
Appendix – Data Sources and Abbreviations
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- Data sources
- Consumer survey data
- Direct marketing creative
- Abbreviations and terms
- Abbreviations
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