Consumers and the Economic Outlook: Quarterly Update - US - July 2017

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
STATE OF THE ECONOMY
Figure 1: Key economic indicators, June 2017
CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATION
Consumer finances still in a good spot
Figure 2: Opinion on current financial situation, Q2 vs Q3, February 2017/May 2017
Consumers consider themselves careful with their money
Figure 3: Opinions on financial security, Winter 2013-17
Northeasterners are most confident in their finances
Figure 4: Opinion on current financial situation, by geographic location, May 2017
Mothers are the most concerned about their economic status
Figure 5: Opinion on current financial situation, by parental status, May 2017
Young Millennials still growing affluence
Figure 6: Opinion on current financial situation, Millennials vs non-Millennials, May 2017
CHANGES IN FINANCIAL WELLBEING
Finances predicted to remain the same
Figure 7: Potential changes in economic situation, Q2 vs Q3, February 2017/May 2017
Parents are more optimistic about their economic status
Figure 8: Changes in economic situation, by parental status and gender, May 2017
Midwesterners have tempered expectations for 2018
Figure 9: Changes in economic situation, by geography, May 2017
IMPROVING FINANCES
Consumers more willing to save, less willing to cut living costs
Figure 10: Improving economic situation via savings, Q2 vs Q3, February 2017/May 2017
Job stability, working hard continue to be top factors for economic improvement
Figure 11: Improving economic situation via employment or education, Q2 vs Q3, February 2017/May 2017
Consumers more willing to switch to better jobs
Figure 12: Changed jobs in the past 12 months, Winter 2013-17
Southerners most willing to cut living costs, while others more willing to find a new job
Figure 13: Improving economic situation, by geography, May 2017
Interesting employment has become more important
Figure 14: Willingness to stick with boring job, Winter 2013-17
SPENDING PLANS
Any changes in the last 3 months? Not really…
Figure 15: Spending behaviors, Q2 vs Q3, February 2017/May 2017
No significant spending changes on the horizon, despite moderate economic improvement
Figure 16: Spending plans, Q2 vs Q3, February 2017/May 2017
Consumers plan on domestic travel, home improvement during summer
Figure 17: Home improvement and travel plans for the next 3 months, by parental status, May 2017
Technology purchases more likely in longer term
APPENDIX – DATA SOURCES AND ABBREVIATIONS
Data sources
Consumer survey data
Abbreviations and Terms
Abbreviations