Americans are finally saving more, just in time to threaten recovery

It is a paradox of the current recession that U.S. consumers, once seemingly hellbent on lifelong buying sprees, have started saving once again, threatening to slow the nation's nascent economic recovery. Consumers drive 70 percent of the economic output in the U.S., and without them spending like there's no tomorrow, a recovery is likely to be slow and drawn out.

Nevertheless, learning to become a nation of savers is good medicine for the millions of Americans addicted to $4 coffee, gourmet kitchen appliances and fancy electronics, says one financial expert.