You spend more in 2012 or 2011?
As we embark on 2012, we wanted to find out whether Americans think they’ll spend more or less money in the new year than they did in 2011.
Here’s what we learned: Pessimism (or new-found thriftiness) prevails.
Overall, 44% said they’d likely spend less in 2012 than in 2011, 28% said they’d likely spend more, 18% said they’d probably spend the same amount each year, and 9% were undecided or had no opinion.
The demographic breakdown:
– Republicans: 28% more in 2012, 47% less in 2012, 19% same amount, 6% no opinion.
– Democrats: 32% more in 2012, 44% less in 2012, 16% same, 8% no opinion.
– Independents: 25% more in 2012, 42% less in 2012, 20% same, 13% no opinion.
– Whites: 27% more in 2012, 43% less in 2012, 22% same, 9% no opinion.
– Blacks: 35% more in 2012, 50% less in 2012, 9% same, 7% no opinion.
– Hispanics: 31% more in 2012, 47% less in 2012, 9% same, 13% no opinion.
– 18-29 year olds: 39% more in 2012, 45% less in 2012, 7% same, 10% no opinion.
– 30-44 year olds: 27% more in 2012, 43% less in 2012, 19% same, 11% no opinion.
– 45-64 year olds: 27% more in 2012, 47% less in 2012, 19% same, 7% no opinion.
– 65+ year olds: 22% more in 2012, 41% less in 2012, 28% same, 9% no opinion.
– Female: 26% more in 2012, 42% less in 2012, 22% same, 9% no opinion.
– Male: 31% more in 2012, 46% less in 2012, 14% same, 9% no opinion.
Poll Position’s scientific telephone survey of 1,139 registered voters nationwide was conducted December 18, 2011 and has a margin of error of ±3%. Poll results are weighted to be a representative sampling of all American adults.
What do you think? Vote in our online companion poll and comment below.
The online companion poll in which you can vote provides unscientific results, meaning it’s a tally of participating Poll Position users, not a nationally representative sampling.
Poll Position is committed to transparency and upholding the highest professional standards in its polling, explaining why we provide you with the crosstabs of our scientific polls. Crosstabs provide a breakdown of survey participants by age, race, gender, and political affiliation. Here are the crosstabs for this poll: Poll Position crosstabs – personal spending.
You can learn more about our polling methodology here.
