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So there’s this article on CNN about how there’s a poll that asked people if they think we’ll be in a better economical state in ’09.

Of the more than 1,000 American adults surveyed in the poll, conducted March 14-16, 83% said they are “confident” that they will be able to maintain their standards of living next year, and 85% are “confident” they will keep their jobs over the next six months.

Americans also showed faith that they would be able to pay off their future debts, with 90% of respondents demonstrating confidence they would be able to meet their monthly mortgage payments for the duration of the mortgage.

Nearly as many Americans – 83% – said they could pay off college loans, car payments, and credit cards in the future. The average amount of credit card debt of those polled was $4,000.

“Consumers, in general, are optimists,” said Bullard, who believes that increased consumer spending after the tax rebate checks are delivered in the late spring will help boost the economy in the third and fourth quarters of 2008.

I do hope this is true for the sake of the bicycle retailer. I know that many shops are having a harder time moving inventory. This recession that is looming doesn’t help them either. If I could be as confident as some of the people polled — that I will still have my job in 6 months — then I’d consider buying another bike or save up for a family vacation. But at the current times, I’m just making sure that I have cashola saved in the bank in case the future isn’t so bright.

Bike commuters are typically more frugal with their money than the rest of the folks on this great planet, so I’m curious to know if you would spend the money on bike stuff or anything in particular that would tickle your fancy if the economy was going to get better. Or would you sock it away regardless of economic conditions?

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