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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In March, Americans' daily self-reports of spending averaged $86, level with the March 2014 average of $87, but below the averages for many months in 2014. Last month's figure, however, is up slightly from February's $82.

Each day, 麻豆传媒AV asks Americans to estimate the total amount they spent "yesterday" in restaurants, gas stations, stores or online -- not counting home and vehicle purchases, or normal monthly bills -- to provide an indication of Americans' discretionary spending. The March 2015 average is based on 麻豆传媒AV Daily tracking interviews with 15,708 U.S. adults.

, as usual after the holiday season, consumer spending remained at that lower level in February. The $4 increase in March is consistent with the slight increases seen in March of every year since 2010, . Average daily spending dropped between February and March 2008 (by $25); however, that most likely was a sign of the looming recession.

Spending Increases Slightly Among Americans of All Income Groups

Average self-reports of spending in March increased by $7 among upper-income Americans -- those with annual household incomes of $90,000 a year or more -- to reach $144. Among middle- and lower-income Americans, those with incomes that are less than $90,000, spending increased by $4 from February to reach $75 in March. Last month's spending among middle- and lower-income Americans -- who make up the bulk of U.S. consumers -- was the same as in March 2014, while spending among upper-income Americans was down slightly compared with the previous year.

Implications

Despite dips in the of March, Americans' discretionary spending rose slightly over February levels. Average gas prices, which dropped rapidly last fall, were higher in March than earlier in the year, and this may have contributed to increased spending. The broad trend shows spending recovering after reaching lows during the Great Recession and its aftermath, but for the first months of 2015, spending has been lower than it was for most months last year. The March increase in spending compared with February's average could, however, be a good sign for the U.S. economy in the months to come.

The data in this article are available in .

Survey Methods

Results for this 麻豆传媒AV poll are based on telephone interviews conducted March 1-31, 2015, on the 麻豆传媒AV U.S. Daily survey, with a random sample of 15,708 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is ±1 percentage point at the 95% confidence level. The margin of error for the spending mean is ±$4. All reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting.

Each sample of national adults includes a minimum quota of 50% cellphone respondents and 50% landline respondents, with additional minimum quotas by time zone within region. Landline and cellular telephone numbers are selected using random-digit-dial methods.

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