WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Fifty-one percent of U.S. adults say they have been spending less money in recent months than they used to, an increase of nearly 20 percentage points from a year ago.
The last time a majority of Americans reported spending less than usual was in 2009-2010.Gallup first asked Americans about their spending habits in 2009, during the Great Recession.
Consistent majorities in 2009 and 2010 said they were spending less, including a high of 57% in 2010, after the Great Recession had technically ended but at a time of a nearly double-digit unemployment rate.
In subsequent years, fewer Americans indicated they were spending less money, with last year's 32% the lowest in Gallup's trend.The April 14-28 poll finds the percentage