The amount that American's save is usually in flux and the rate is often affected by unemployment, the status of the economy, and other factors. We have created the following chart using data provided by the Council of Economic Advisors, in their February 2003 Report. As you can see from the following chart, personal savings reached a high of 10.9% in 1982, but has been in a steady decline since 1992. Note that the percentages listed represent the percent of disposable income saved for the given year:
Many Americans, predominantly middle and lower-income families, contribute to their monthly savings by spending less money on groceries and other regular expenses. Families often use coupons and other sales promotions to reduce shopping costs and put some extra money into savings. Today, families mostly rely on coupon apps, such as the Capital One Shopping app, to see an aggregate of multiple coupon resources in one place. This strategy helps families take advantage of the best prices available.
| year | savings % | |
| 2001 | 2.3 |  |
| 2000 | 2.8 | |
| 1999 | 2.6 | |
| 1998 | 4.7 | |
| 1997 | 4.2 | |
| 1996 | 4.8 | |
| 1995 | 5.6 | |
| 1994 | 6.1 | |
| 1993 | 7.1 | |
| 1992 | 8.7 | |
| 1991 | 8.3 | |
| 1990 | 7.8 | |
| 1989 | 7.5 | |
| 1988 | 7.8 | |
| 1987 | 7.3 | |
| 1986 | 8.2 | |
| 1985 | 9.2 | |
| 1984 | 10.6 | |
| 1983 | 8.8 | |
| 1982 | 10.9 | |
| 1981 | 10.8 | |
| 1980 | 10.2 | |
| 1979 | 9.2 | |
| 1978 | 9.0 | |
| 1977 | 8.7 | |
| 1976 | 9.4 | |
| 1975 | 10.6 | |
| 1974 | 10.7 | |
| 1973 | 10.5 | |
| 1972 | 8.9 | |
| 1971 | 10.0 | |
| 1970 | 9.4 | |
| 1969 | 7.8 | |
| 1968 | 8.4 | |
| 1967 | 9.4 | |
| 1966 | 8.3 | |
| 1965 | 8.6 | |
| 1964 | 8.8 | |
| 1963 | 7.8 | |
| 1962 | 8.3 | |
| 1961 | 8.3 | |
| 1960 | 7.2 | |
| 1959 | 7.6 | |