Consumer confidence on rise - 2003-08-27
Consumer confidence climbed in August from a decrease in the previous month as thousands of households surveyed expressed a growing belief that better times were ahead, a private research group indicated yesterday.

Meanwhile, the government reported a surge in July for big-ticket items, and new-home sales dipped as rising mortgage rates turned off some house hunters, but still posted their second best month on record.
Read the full story at Seattle Times

Borrowers take on debt to pay off bills - 2003-08-27
Almost one in four people are resorting to loans and credit cards just to pay their household bills or meet day-to-day living costs, research said today.

According to accountancy firm KPMG, just over half of the 2,000 people questioned owed up to £10,000, excluding their mortgage, while 16% had accumulated debts of between £10,00 and £40,000.
Read the full story at Guardian Unlimited