Allen Grommet Quotations

It does look like consumers are becoming a little more prudent and finding alternative ways to pay, such as debit cards.

Of those planning to use additional credit in March, almost half were using it because they have to to meet their everyday needs. That, to me, says there is a large group of people right on the edge, having trouble ... and when interest rates go up, that will really pinch them.

The big story that the overall index is telling us is that consumers are still hanging in there, but this question that refers to credit use six months out is the first indicator that maybe there's some softness that could be developing in consumers' attitudes.

There's a significant portion of people out there not sure on a day-to-day basis where they stand. That affects consumer confidence and affects consumers' desire to take on more credit.