American Household Spending at Highest Level Since 2008

With the election in November, people are watching the Jobs number and economy closely.

So, how do Americans spend their money today?

Here is a chart that breaks down the percentage going to various categories of household spending.

 

 

Also, here is a chart showing how spending has changed since 2000.

 

 

Interesting.

After two years of falling incomes and penny-pinching, Americans opened their wallets in 2011, ramping up spending on everything from restaurants and clothing to health care.

The average level of spending in 2011—$49,705—was the highest since 2008.

Related articles

• iNflation: Americans Spend Less On Food, Movies To Pay For Soaring Cell Phone Obsession (zerohedge.com)
• Economix Blog: Visiting the Doctor Less, but Spending More on Health (economix.blogs.nytimes.com)
• A Nation of Dependents? Breaking Down the Numbers (nationalreview.com)
• Higher gas costs push US consumer spending up (miamiherald.com)