Consumer spending dipped in September, survey finds

Consumer spending in the United States fell slightly in September, according to a Gallup survey released Monday.

People spent an average of $87 a day in September, down from $94 a day in July and August, the poll found.

{mosads}The decrease in spending between August and September is fairly normal, said Gallup, which attributes the drop to fewer transactions on back-to-school items and summer vacations.

Last year, consumer spending dropped an average of $11, from $95 a day in August to $84 a day in September.

Gallup asked more than 14,000 people in a daily tracking survey to share how much money they spent a day earlier in stores, restaurants, online or on gas. This excluded vehicle or home purchases or normal monthly bills. 

Upper-income Americans — households that have annual incomes of at least $90,000 — also spent less in September compared to over the summer. In July, for instance, they spent an average of $190 per day, a 12-month high. In September, they spent roughly $140 per day. 

Middle and lower-income Americans also spent less: $77 in September compared to $80 in August.