Article in the news today suggests that may be happening - consumers are deciding to pay for more things with cash. This is a positive development. And it's especially good news for those consumers, considering another article today that says banks are starting to raise credit card rates. That's because of the consumer debt crisis - so many consumers are having trouble paying off their loans and mortgages, the banks are hurting. So they are trying to generate revenue from another part of their business: credit cards.