AARP Research on Consumer Spending

AARP Reports on Consumer Spending

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A Look at Holiday Spending: An AARP Bulletin Poll

Holiday spending in 2009 should be about the same as 2008, perhaps with a slight dip in purchases made by credit card, if the results of this survey of midlife and older adults are any indication, with stores and malls continuing to be the “go-to” spots for holiday shopping. (20 pages)

November 2, 2009

By: Teresa A. Keenan, Ph.D., AARP Knowledge Management

AARP Bulletin Survey on Retirement Savings: Executive Summary

Most adults have started to cut back on spending or save more money in the past 12 months according to this February 2009 survey, which also examines the reasons for this behavior and whether people plan to spend or save their 2009 stimulus payout. (7 pages)

April 1, 2009

By: Rebecca Perron, M.P.H. Ph.D., AARP Knowledge Management

AARP Survey on Home Energy Costs Executive Summary

AARP commissioned a nationwide telephone survey to determine how people age 45 and older are coping with rising home energy prices. This executive summary, by Gerard Rainville, notes relative hardships for individuals whose home energy costs have increased and finds that a majority of adults believe the government should help pay some of the cooling and heating costs for those who cannot afford them. (10 pages)

August 25, 2008

By: Gerard Rainville, AARP Knowledge Management

AARP Bulletin Survey on Rising Food Costs: Executive Summary

Over half of consumers ages 45+ are taking steps to cope with rising food prices, according to a recent nationwide AARP Bulletin survey, with the majority believing the government is responsible for the rising prices. (4 pages)

July 1, 2008

By: Lona Choi-Allum, Ph.D., AARP Knowledge Management

The Economic Slowdown's Impact on Middle-Aged and Older Americans

A majority of Americans ages 45+ believe the economy is in bad shape and that many have adapted their behaviors in response to the floundering economy, according to this April 2008 nationwide survey commissioned by AARP. Reports are available on the nationally representative sample, as well as an oversample of Hispanic Americans.

June 4, 2008

By: Jeffrey Love, Ph.D., AARP Knowledge Management; Gerard Rainville, AARP Knowledge Management

AARP Bulletin Survey on Plans to Spend Stimulus Package Rebates

A minority of Americans intend to spend the entirety of their stimulus package tax rebates, according to this executive summary of an AARP Bulletin nationwide survey. However, a greater percentage of those ages 50 and older plan to spend their entire rebate than those ages 18-49. (4 pages)

March 31, 2008