The Numerator Consumer Sentiment Tracker study indicated consumer confidence dipped slightly in August, with a score of 55, down 0.3 points from July and 0.5 points versus the 2025 average.
Other results of the August study: 41% of consumers stated they were very or somewhat comfortable spending money on discretionary purchases; and 33% said they were spending less overall, down 0.2 points from July and 1.2 points compared to the average this year. To save money, 40% of consumers said they are shopping for items on sale, while 39% are using coupons/discount codes and 39% are cooking at home.
Numerator reported the following:
- 19% of consumers said they would use spare cash to do home repairs or improvements, down 2.3 points versus the 2023 average.
- 48% of consumers maintained their household’s financial situation is currently good or very good.
- 33% of consumers think it’s very or somewhat difficult to find employment in the current job market, up one point from July, three points versus the year’s average.
Of consumers with spare cash, 35% said they are putting it in savings, 33% said they are and paying down debts. Some 13% of consumers said they don’t have any spare cash.
The August Financial Outlook Score was 51.4, down 0.5 points from July but up 0.6 points compared with the yearly average, as consumers expressed middling feelings about their future finances. When thinking about one year from now, 26% of consumers said they believe their finances will be better than they are now, 51% believe they’ll be the same, and 23% believe they’ll be worse.
