Americans Prefer Swiping to Saving
The annual savings rate dropped to the lowest level in 74 years, the Commerce Department has reported. On average, Americans saved a "negative 1 percent" in 2006, meaning people not only didn't save but dipped into their savings and borrowed in order to spend more than their income.
The annual savings rate dropped to the lowest level in 74 years, the Commerce Department has reported. On average, Americans saved a “negative 1 percent” in 2006, meaning people not only didn’t save but dipped into their savings and borrowed in order to spend more than their income.
Wait, before you go…AP via Houston Chronicle:
People once again spent everything they made and then some last year, pushing the personal savings rate to the lowest level since the Great Depression more than seven decades ago.
The Commerce Department reported Thursday that the savings rate for all of 2006 was a negative 1 percent, meaning that not only did people spend all the money they earned but they also dipped into savings or increased borrowing to finance purchases. The 2006 figure was lower than a negative 0.4 percent in 2005 and was the poorest showing since a negative 1.5 percent savings rate in 1933 during the Depression.
For December, consumer spending rose a solid 0.7 percent, the best showing in five months, while incomes rose by 0.5 percent, both figures matching Wall Street expectations.
In other news, a key gauge of factory activity flashed recession warnings in manufacturing in January.
If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.
Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.
Support Truthdig
A new investigation reveals how the president's tariffs have massively enriched lobbyists while taking a steep toll on the middle class.
Wilbur Ross has amassed a fortune in steel—and the Department of Commerce soon will make decisions that affect his firms.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.