Consumers continue to maintain a tight grip on day-to-day purchases but return to the market for major purchases as they regain hope that runaway inflation will be checked.

Improved income and job security provides modest relief as consumers struggle with energy costs and loss of buying power.

Americans are rethinking how they live as they see their buying power decline. Their adaptation to declining wealth is becoming more evident as they cut back on driving and on major purchases…and increasingly feel that the...