Consumer spending is not an improvement in the economy. It bumps the numbers in the present moment while doing nothing for the long term. Consumer saving builds the economy for the long term while not giving the politicians the numbers they like to point at to prove how wonderful they are.
It could be. That would involve spending on made-in-USA goods. It would also have to be spending that isn't debt-driven.
You brought up consumer saving, which builds the economy for the long term. Near-zero interest rates are a disincentive to saving. What's the point of putting off a purchase until it can be afforded if the money in the bank isn't growing and if the seller is offering very low or no interest on loans to buy stuff for the first few months?
Let’s see we were forced to replace the gutters to the new ones with covers, so 78 year old husband with High BP and dizzy spells didn’t have to climb a ladder to clean the suckers. Then we had to replace a crumbling retaining wall that was letting mud wash down our drive. Routine home maintenance, not consumer spending. The AC is acting up it’s 15 yrs old, but it is just a relay and hubby can replace that for a few $$ with out having to drain the Freon.
Next project a trip for him to Niagara Falls to see his 90+ year old older brother. He is driving it. Over 4 days round trip. Spending time with his sister, brother and good friend. I don’t travel well due to altitudes and have to live on Meniere’s meds. Not having to board dogs a +.
I don’t count that as consumer spending, but protection for a Senior Citizen. Nor the trip as consumer spending as this maybe the last time he sees his brother who has prostate cancer.
Nor is medical.