It’s a scaled-back season for consumer spending. Only 23 percent of consumers plan to spend more this summer over last, down five percent from 2011, on purchases ranging from vacations to home improvement to electronics. With high gas prices consumers are ditching dining out to save hard-earned money and 51 percent are entertaining more at home. These consumers also don’t plan to splurge on guests with new outdoor furniture, outdoor appliances, outdoor games or pool supplies, but on the groceries for their at-home gatherings.

Fifty-eight percent of consumers plan to make travel or vacation plans over the next six months, down seven percent from 2010. Twenty-four percent of consumers admit they know they could be saving more on travel and vacation plans and forty-six percent don’t coupon on vacation, marking missed opportunities to save on the go.

Overall, consumers are missing out on opportunities to save money this summer. Categories where consumers still continue to splurge without a deal or discount include groceries (26 percent), dining out (25 percent), family activities (24 percent), home improvement (23 percent) and personal beauty (22 percent). With Valpak’s coupon apps for iPhone™ and Android™ smartphones and the iPad™, consumers have easy access to printable coupons and coupon codes for local restaurants, retailers and service providers any place at any time.