PITY THE POOR AMERICANS, BUYING MORE FOR LESS....:

Consumer Spending Surges in November (Martin Crutsinger, 12/21/07, AP)

Consumers put aside worries about slumping home sales and soaring gasoline prices and headed to the malls in November, pushing spending up by the largest amount in 3 1/2 years.

The Commerce Department reported Friday that consumer spending surged by 1.1 percent last month, nearly triple the October gain. The gain reflected various promotional efforts by retailers such as heavy discounting and longer store hours at the start of the holiday shopping season.