Cars seem to be pivotal in keeping the wheels of consumer spending turning and certainly this quarter is starting out with a thud.

consumer spending has not been dented by the hurricane-inspired rise in gasoline prices and fears of higher home heating oil bills.

This was a disappointing number relative to expectations and certainly consistent with the idea that consumer spending is going to be a much smaller contributor to economic growth in the fourth quarter.

As far as energy prices and core consumer prices, so far it is all smoke and no fire. Rising energy costs have not yet fed into the costs of other goods, despite many anecdotal signs that prices are being impacted.

Does seem it's turning to winter around here,

I would think that certainly some of the discretionary spending would drop. There will be those who think twice about driving at all.