NOW WE JUST HAVE TO GET THEM TO STOP SAVING MONEY:

Consumer pessimism ebbs as prices drop: An index from Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan is 21% higher than it was in December 2008. People cite widespread holiday sales and a better jobs outlook for their improved optimism. (Tiffany Hsu, December 24, 2009, LA Times)

Consumers say they are feeling much less pessimistic in December than they were in November, thanks to widespread holiday sales and a more hopeful outlook on jobs and the economy, according to a study released Wednesday.

Consumer sentiment is at its highest point since September, settling at 72.5 on an index from Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan. The index was up nearly 8% from its 67.4 mark in November, and up nearly 21% from 60.1 in December 2008.