Chris McCarty, the bureau's survey director, says Florida consumers are more optimistic about their current personal finances yet less so about the US economy. They may stay bullish on buying opportunities when they see merchants lower prices in advance of the upcoming holiday season, though most forecasts predict no growth in retail sales after a disappointing 2008, he says.

"Floridians should prepare for more bad news through the first quarter of 2010," McCarty says. "If retail sales growth is as low as expected, sales tax revenues will not meet expectations," which he adds could lead to a $2.6-billion state budget deficit and more cost-cutting by the Legislature.

Components of the monthly Florida Consumer Attitude Survey that increased were perceptions toward personal finances and buying big-ticket items, while expectations of the national economy in both the short and long term declined slightly. The state economic picture remains mixed when considering retailing, housing and the stock market, McCarty says.