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Story summary
- Bank of America data show a 20% rise in gasoline spending on high-frequency credit card transactions, while other categories remain stable.
- Consumers benefit from larger tax refunds.
- The Standard & Poor's 500 index (S&P 500) is up 24% over the past year.
- Angie Howard, a Portland resident, reports higher grocery costs and is reconsidering discretionary spending.
- Rising energy prices could dampen spending, especially for lower-income individuals.
