The prospect of higher interest rates would encourage more people to buy homes, cars, or other big-ticket items.

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But it will not treat the deployment of smart meters in its jurisdiction any different from other big-ticket items.

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That would put a damper on the easy credit many Americans have accessed to buy homes and other big-ticket items.

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Certain transactions, including gasoline, airline tickets, jewelry and other big-ticket items, are more likely to be flagged than restaurant charges.

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In recent years purchasing houses and other big-ticket items based - doing so with debt really, really helped buoy the economy when many other things weren't growing.

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The rise in total consumer debt was widespread, as consumers increased both their credit card debt and took out loans for automobiles and other big-ticket items, excluding real estate.

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They should also try to put their financial house in order before they fully retire by paying off their mortgage and other debts and purchasing any big-ticket items they expect to need in retirement.

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