(MONEY Magazine) – -24 -27 -12 September August Year ago

The MONEY/ABC Consumer Comfort index dropped to -28, its lowest level ever, soon after Iraq invaded Kuwait. By Labor Day, though, the index bounced back a bit to -24 after our poll respondents had become slightly more confident about their personal finances. But Americans are now skittish about spending money. Some 71% of those polled said now was not a good time to buy the things that they want and need.