Consumers are worried the looming "fiscal cliff" will push the economy into a recession. Consumer spending patterns change and consumers save a smaller portion of new disposable income on consumption than in the past. After several years in a deep recession, the latest projections from the Podunk Economic Council show the economy at last on an up-swing. Prices on the Podunk Stock Exchange increase. ..: Consumer spending patterns change and consumers save a greater portion of new disposable income on consumption than in the past. Interest rates increase, reducing the amount Podunkians are willing to borrow.