Source: Gallup
Notes: Daily self-reported spending on purchases other than home, vehicle or monthly bills (in other words, a proxy for discretionary spending) has been much more volatile this year among upper-income (household income of $90k+) consumers than middle- and lower-income Americans. After reaching a high of $190 in July, daily spending by upper-income Americans has fallen considerably; while declines between August and September are typical, upper-income respondents spent less this September ($140) than last ($146).
Related: Who Are America’s Affluents, And What Are Their Top Spending Categories?
About the Data: The latest Gallup data (September) is based on telephone interviews conducted Sept. 1-30, 2014, on the Gallup Daily tracking survey, with a random sample of 14,687 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.