Consumers fended off a recession — but keep spending like there's no tomorrow

• Defiant consumer spending has helped the US economy dodge a recession.
• Yet consumers are saving less, raiding their piggy banks, and racking up record credit-card debt.
• Experts say their spending will inevitably falter, tanking the economy.

American consumers have staved off a recession by relentlessly spending despite soaring inflation, surging interest rates, multi-industry turmoil, and wider economic jitters.