Wealth Consulting Group CEO Jimmy Lee joins “Mornings with Maria” to talk about the markets forward of the PPI launch, shopper influence to the financial system, and the housing market.Â
U.S. shoppers are feeling the ache after months of rising prices and dwindling financial savings, however a current survey discovered that won’t cease them from boosting their spending for Valentine’s Day this 12 months.
Data launched Wednesday by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics discovered that Americans plan to spend $25.9 billion on the sweethearts of their lives this 12 months, up from $23.9 billion final 12 months. That means 2023 may very well be one of many highest spending years on document for the vacation.

Valentine’s Day spending might close to a document this 12 months despite excessive inflation squeezing shoppers’ budgets. (iStock / iStock)
More than half of respondents, some 52%, mentioned they plan to rejoice this Valentine’s Day and can spend a mean of $192.80 in doing so – up from $175.41 a 12 months in the past.
But given current developments, some consultants are involved that the emotions of generosity surrounding this 12 months’s Feb. 14 celebration will solely contribute extra to Americans’ already swollen credit card balances.
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David Ragland, CEO of IRC Wealth and authorized monetary planner, says the upper projected spending spree will “positively” go on bank cards for a lot of shoppers.

Americans are leaning more and more on bank cards, and lots of are anticipated to use them for Valentine’s Day spending sprees. (iStock / iStock)
He famous that whereas financial savings charges have plunged, shoppers nonetheless really feel comfy spending as a result of the employment price is excessive and lots of nonetheless have cash of their pockets left over from the pandemic stimulus.
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“This is an ideal instance of how our feelings actually management our spending, which generally hamper our monetary growth and monetary success,” Ragland informed FOX Business.Â

U.S. shoppers are feeling the ache after months of rising costs and dwindling financial savings, however a current survey discovered that won’t cease them from boosting their spending for Valentine’s Day this 12 months. (iStock / iStock)
The monetary adviser says the excessive inflationary atmosphere final 12 months disrupted many individuals’s budgets, and he’s recommending that each one his purchasers reassess the place their cash goes.
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“Right now, due to inflation, do your self a favor: sit down and look and see what you’ve got spent or what you are spending in January and February,” he mentioned. “That’s going to provide you with a greater suggestions loop so you can also make higher monetary choices.”