(MONEY Magazine) – AUGUST -45 JULY -44 YEAR AGO -39

Consumer confidence sank again in August, as the MONEY/ABC Consumer Comfort Index dropped to -45, approaching the all-time low of -50 set in February. The main reason behind the fall was the public's flagging confidence in their personal financial situation -- one of three key components of our comfort index. Only 19% of Americans think that their finances are getting better, while nearly a quarter say they are worsening.