discretionary spending

Get your wallet ready — it’s that time again with the holidays right around the corner. An estimated 91% of Americans will celebrate in some form this holiday season, a November report from the National Retail Federation…

By HALELUYA HADERO - AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Days after flocking to stores on Black Friday, consumers are turning online for Cyber Monday to score more discounts on gifts and other items that…

For Ryan Decker, surviving the holiday shopping season is all about planning ahead. In fact, if he sees a gift for one of his two young sons in March, he’ll go ahead and buy it, instead of rushing through his shopping list…

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO, HALELUYA HADERO and ALEXANDRA OLSON - AP Retail Writers NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers hunted for the best deals at stores and online as retailers offered new Black Friday discounts to…

There’s a magical feeling in the air this time of year, but that magic costs money. Every year, the pressure looms large to spend more to create perfect holidays.This high-cost season can leave you with debt that sticks…

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO - AP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Black Friday marks a return to familiar holiday shopping patterns, but inflation is weighing on consumers.Elevated prices for food, rent, gasoline…

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO - AP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) — While Black Friday will mark a return to familiar holiday shopping patterns, uncertainty still remains.The U.S. job market remains strong,…

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO and CORA LEWIS - AP Business Writers NEW YORK (AP) — Consumers holding out for big deals — and some much-needed relief from soaring costs on just about everything — may be…

By MAE ANDERSON - AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — On a recent evening in early November, shoppers at the Bryant Park holiday market in New York City were in the holiday spirit well before Black…

By LEANNE ITALIE - Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — The look of Nancy Meyers' movies. Inside Ina Garten's kitchen. Oversize cable knit sweaters. A quality, timeless trench. All things pumpkin…