1.   There were signs that consumers were borrowing more money for big projects.

2.   Confirming the slowdown in U.S. growth last fall, a separate Federal Reserve report today showed U.S. consumer borrowing rose at a slower pace in December.

3.   Consumers also borrowed heavily.

4.   Consumers are borrowing more than ever, using the easily available credit offered by card issuers.

5.   Consumers are borrowing more than ever, using the easily available loans on their credit cards.

6.   Consumer borrowing and spending, home sales and factory orders are all on the rise.

7.   Defaults by small and midsize companies have slowed and consumers are borrowing again.

8.   Everyone knows that consumers have borrowed up to their chins, a worry in its own right.

9.   Falling deficits can bring lower interest rates, which make it easier for companies to expand and for consumers to borrow.

10.   Federal Reserve Board Gov. Laurence Lindsay said consumers are borrowing more to make day-to-day purchases, rather than to buy durable goods such as cars.