Fewer People Plan Major Expenditures

The number of Americans planning to make major purchases or spend money on recreation has declined from last year, according to a poll released Sunday by the Gallup Organization.

Asked what they plan to do differently with their money in 1990 compared to last year, 6% of 1,000 heads of households surveyed said they would shell out for big-ticket items or leisure activities.

Asked the same question last year, 12% said they would spend more money in those areas.

The Princeton-based firm conducted the poll in conjunction with Bank Advertising News of North Palm Beach, Fla., to determine Americans’ anticipated financial behavior in 1990.

As in the previous two annual polls, the survey found that about 40% of Americans expected to have more money this year than last; 45% expected to have about the same amount; and about 16% expected to have less.

The survey also found that 27% of the respondents said they would put more money into savings or certificates of deposit, roughly the same number as gave that answer last year.