Report: Economic Outlook Should Improve

A recent report by news service Bureau of National Affairs projects the U.S. economic situation to improve over the course of the next year.

Lower energy costs, job growth, increased investments and consumer confidence were attributed to the projected improvement of the economic situation. Overall, the real gross domestic product is estimated to grow by 2.8 percent in 2011, and should continue its upward swing in 2012 - a total growth of 3.2 percent.

"Monthly job gains will average 192,000 for the rest of the year, somewhat better than the actual gain of 157,000 jobs averaged in the first half," BNA's report said.

In addition, job gains are expected to improve to approximately 206,000 a month during the first part of 2012.

These new projections may improve consumers' beliefs that the struggling economy may finally be turning around. Consumers' also may find some relief in this situation, as it is typically easier to pay down credit card debt when the economy is strong, compared to when it is struggling. This is due to a large amount of reasons involving job gains, benefits packages added and other situations that make money plentiful.