(Source: Business Wire)The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor rose for the second straight month, climbing 2 points in September to 89 (based out of 100). The rise in the Monitor's index is mostly attributed to improved economic sentiment in September. In all, 33 percent of U.S. consumers feel economic conditions are improving, a Monitor high and 2-point increase from August. In September, consumers felt a little better about their personal finances as well. Thirty-three percent rated their finances as good, or excellent, the highest in four months and up a point from August.

Despite a Monitor high in economic sentiment, consumer spending intentions remained flat in September, a cause for concern for retailers who are hoping consumers will increase their spending as we approach the holidays.

More Consumers Expecting to Spend the Same Next Month

Only 19 percent expect to spend more in the next 30 days, continuing a 4-month decline and down a point from August. Fifty-four percent said they planned on spending the same amount, up 2 points.

More consumers are expecting to spend the same next month on discretionary spending as well. Thirty-nine percent of consumers planned on spending the same amount of money on going out to dinner, or the movies in the month ahead, a 21-month high and 2-point increase from August. About 32 percent plan to spend the same on home improvements, a high not reached since February 2008. Thirty-six percent plan on spending the same on major personal purchases over the next 30 days, a 12-month high. Half of consumers are also planning on saving and investing at the same rate over the next 30 days, a 2-point increase from last month.

"After months of cutbacks, consumer spending intentions appear to be leveling off, a sign that they are content with the spending cutbacks they made," said Julie Loeger, senior vice president of brand and product management for Discover. "A cause for concern is there appears to be no indication consumers are willing to increase their spending, despite a Monitor-high number of them who feel the economy is getting better."

Compared to a year ago, just 12 percent of consumers felt the economy was getting better, yet 10 percent still expected to spend more on discretionary purchases in the month ahead.