Here’s some interesting findings from the BIG Insight September Consumer Snapshot.

Increasing confidence isn’t leading to decreasing frugality in September… about half (49.5%) of consumers remain practical when purchasing, rising six points from August (43.5%) and remaining relatively in line with Sept-11 (51.1%).

With holiday spending plans on the horizon, the majority of consumers (56.8%) is remaining mindful about buying just what they need, up from August (52.0%) and just below Sept-11 (58.4%).

Decreasing overall spending (33.0%) and paying down debt (32.8%) remain fiscal priorities in September, with both up slightly from August. An increasing number of consumers also plan to pad their piggy banks (28.9%) and pay with cash more often (20.0%).

Nearly three-quarters of shoppers continue to say that fluctuating gas prices are impacting their spending…driving less and reducing dining out remain popular options for easing the pain at the pump. Drivers expect average prices to inflate to $3.90/gal by the end of the month, higher than the $3.76/gal expected for the close of August.

Watch BIG Insight’s video with all the details: