A year after the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the global financial crisis the firm's demise triggered, the economic outlook doesn't look any brighter, according to the latest Consumer Reports Sentiment Index, one of several indices that comprise the overall Consumer Reports Index. The Sentiment Index slipped to 38.1, its lowest level since October 2008.

U.S. consumers aren't in much of a spending mood, but they did do some shopping last month, according to the Consumer Reports Retail Index. Purchases of small appliances and personal electronics, for example, both rose slightly in August, and that uptick is expected to continue through September.

Of course, Americans would have to buy many toasters and TV sets to boost the overall economy. Home sales might prove to the source of some positive news. The number of consumers planning to buy a home in September has climbed to 2.6 percent compared with 1.2 percent in August.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our Kitchen-Planning Guide for details on and ratings of appliances large and small as well as remodeling tips. And read our home-buying advice, including directions on navigating the foreclosure market.