I have a Google alert set for “consumer” to send me potential blog ideas. Today’s alert had a bunch of stories about Consumer Confidence. In a word, it’s down. In the US, the confidence measurement is at 63. I don’t know what that means, but it was 64.9 a month ago. So, in other words, DOWN.
Basically, consumer confidence measures whether you feel safe in making a big purchase or taking that nice vacation, or NOT.
So, let’s hear from the MindField family. What is your confidence level? Are you making purchases? Taking trips? Holding off?
I will go first. We have made a couple of bigger purchases this year, but only the kind that count as investments, such as new floors. Next week, our big vacation consists of driving back home to see family and friends. You could say my confidence level is “meh.”
How about you?
PS: For our Canadian friends: your confidence is UP. What’s that aboot? Send some of that confidence down south, eh?
PPS: New confidence numbers are coming in a day or so. Cross your fingers!
UPDATE: The new number came out….62. Whoops!
UPDATE 2, August 29: New number 60.6! More whoops!