From Demo Memo

The Feds may be uncertain about the direction of the economy, but Americans are giving it a thumbs up. The average household boosted its spending on a wide variety of products and services between 2014 and 2015 after adjusting for inflation, according to a Demo Memo analysis of the “Consumer Expenditure Survey.” Many long-languishing discretionary categories (apparel, furniture) got a welcome infusion of cash, while some necessities (gasoline, electricity) eased their grip on the household budget. 

Spending gains, 2014-15 (in 2015 dollars)

Furniture: 29.6%

New cars and trucks: 25.1%

Alcoholic beverages: 11.1%

Reading material: 10.5%

Women's clothes: 8.0%

Food away from home: 7.8%

Entertainment: 4.1%

Spending declines, 2014-15 (in 2015 dollars)

Gasoline: -15.4%

Drugs: -12.7%

Natural gas: -4.2%

Mortgage interest: -3.3%

Vehicle insurance: -3.1%

Electricity: -1.7%