THE BUDGET IS just over a month away with the government set to announce more spending cuts and tax hikes as part of a €3.5 billion adjustment required under the terms of the EU-IMF bailout.

Yesterday the latest consumer sentiment index stated that consumer sentiment rose modestly last month compared with a sharp fall in August that was largely put down to the ‘fear factor’ surrounding the Budget in December with consumers holding back their money in anticipation that they will have less of it when Finance Minister Michael Noonan delivers his plans.

There has already been speculation about possible tax hikes and benefit cuts that will be announced and that would impact on how much money many of us take home each month. But is this affecting how your spending your money right now? Are you holding back on buying certain goods and services or are you spending as normal and waiting to see what actually happens in the Budget?

Put simply, today we want to know: Is speculation about the Budget impacting on your spending?

Yesterday: Consumer sentiment stabilises after sharp decline in September

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