 which is taking a toll on consumer spending. Mike Fretantoni is chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association. We're seeing some caution pulling back from discretionary items when they have the ability to do so. The top third of earners have become more optimistic, but Joanne Hsu says most middle and lower income consumers are just trying to catch up and see little prospect of getting ahead. I'm Mitchell Hartman for Marketplace.