"Continued gains in consumer spending helped propel the economy in the year's final three months, though the rate of increase came in at 1.8%, well below the 3.2% pace in the third quarter. " Consumer spending is one sector of the economy as measured by GDP. What are the others? How is economic growth measured? Why do economists think spending on durable goods in particular is so important? "Real disposable income was up 1.5% in the fourth quarter, a decline from the 2.9% rise in the previous period. "What is disposable income? What does "real" disposable income mean? What are the four components in measuring the balance of trade