Survey: Consumers spend within means for holidays

New York – Consumers mostly spent within their means during the 2014 holiday season. Only one-in-six Americans spent more than expected this holiday season, according to a new Bankrate.com report.



This is consistent with readings in previous years. Millennials (Americans ages 18-29) were twice as likely as those ages 30-49 to have spent more during the holidays than intended. Overall, one-in-four Americans spent less than expected this holiday season.



Perhaps not surprisingly, the highest income households were the most likely to have spent more than expected and the lowest income households were most likely to have spent less than expected. However, among all income groups, the tendency to spend less than expected outnumbered those spending more than expected.