After a tumultuous year marked by high interest rates, inflation, and multiple rounds of layoffs, many economists had pessimistic forecasts for 2023, some all but guaranteeing a recession. Despite interest rates reaching a 22-year high at the end of 2023, the U.S. economy defied expectations and continued to grow. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, consumer spending was a significant factor driving economic growth, reporting a 4.2% increase in disposable income in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2023.
While retail spending continues to show strength, rising costs are beginning to take their toll. Although disposable income—or the income remaining after taxes—showed an overall increase in 2023, the personal savings rate—or the percentage of disposable income saved—decreased overall, indicating that Americans are spending more and saving less.
The Gwinnett Daily Post is a daily newspaper published in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and serves as the county's legal organ. The newspaper is owned by Times-Journal Inc. and prints Wednesday and Sunday each week.
