The New Normal

Consumers drive the American economy, so understanding their reactions to the current recession is essential. In a new ABC News poll, people were asked to think about the recession and then whether they would be more or less willing to do certain things in the future. Solid majorities said they would be less willing to take on credit card debt (66 percent), take out loans or a mortgage (55 percent), spend money (54 percent), and invest in the stock market (52 percent). Two-thirds said they would be more likely to save money given their experiences with this recession. The pollsters suggest that the “new normal” could reshape the economy in significant ways.

Source: ABC News, June 2009.