U.S. Consumer Spending Flat in August

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans' self-reports of daily spending averaged $94 in August, matching the average for July. Spending last month was also similar to the $95 average in August 2013.

Though higher-income earners may have spent less in August, middle- and lower-income-earning Americans picked up the slack -- thus keeping overall spending flat.

August 2014 consumer spending may not have exceeded the previous August's figure, but spending this year has been steady. The larger pattern since 2012 has been one of increased consumer spending, which is crucial to the U.S. economy's recovery.