64.5
Consumer Confidence Index for March, as measured by The Conference Board. It's the lowest measurement in five years, down from 76.4 in February.
$4 TRILLION
Projected total health care spending by 2017, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. That's double the amount spent right now, and 21% of the Gross Domestic Product.
12%
Percentage of consumers who have started shopping at cheaper grocery stores, according to a survey by Citigroup Global Markets.
1,500
Number of Lone Star Steakhouse employees who recently lost their jobs after the chain had to close 27 of its 179 stores.
47%
Percentage of consumers who say they're spending less to make up for high gas prices, according to TNS Retail Forward.
$3.343
Average cost of a gallon of gas in a recent report by American Automobile Association.
$2.792
Average cost of the same gallon a year ago.
37%
Percentage of people who said they will increase their use of coupons during a recession, according to a survey commissioned by RetailMeNot, an online coupon provider.