This chart, from the Conference Board's report on its October Consumer Confidence Index, tells the story:
See if this makes you feel any better:
“Much of the decline in confidence over the past two months can be attributed to the recent hurricanes, pump shock and a weakening labor market,” says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. “Consumers’ assessment of current conditions, however, remains above readings a year ago, but their short-term expectations are significantly below last October’s level. This degree of pessimism, in conjunction with the anticipation of much higher home heating bills this winter, may take some cheer out of the upcoming holiday season. In order to avoid a blue Christmas, retailers will need to lure shoppers with sales and discounts.”
Hmm. Probably not. Try this: Existing home sales remained strong in September, and The Skeptical Spectator suggests "weekly chain store sales provided a more optimistic picture."