This is a survey or a poll of consumer's opinions regarding both their present conditions as well as their expectations regarding their economic conditions. Five thousand consumers across the country are surveyed each month. The theory here is the level of consumer confidence is directly related to the strength of consumer spending. Consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of the economy. If consumers are confident that times are good, spending is likely to remain stable or even increase. If consumer confidence is weak, then more times than not consumers save and do not spend money. This shift in spending habits can help or hurt the developments in the economy from durable goods sales to home or car purchases. If consumers are not confident then they are less likely to purchase those big ticket items like a new home or that new car.