MOST consumers here are not cutting back their expenses any further, while those who are still splurging are most eager to open their wallets for dining and entertainment, clothing purchases, and holidays.

These are the key findings in the latest Mastercard Survey on Consumer Purchasing Priorities, released on Wednesday.

Conducted between March and April, it polled 401 consumers in Singapore about their spending habits in the next six months - from May to October.

The first survey, done last September when the world financial crisis started, found that 64 per cent of Singaporeans would cut back on discretionary spending in the next 12 months.

This time round, however, only 41 per cent said they would cut back. About 55 per cent said they plan to spend the same amount as the previous six months.

Priorities have shifted a little too.

Singaporeans are still putting dining and entertainment as their top priority. However, in second place, perhaps reflecting the effect of retailers' price-slashing, is fashion and accessories, replacing fitness and wellness.

Personal travel is still in third place.

That said, Singaporeans are still keen to save.

About 88 per cent of respondents said that for the next six months, they were going to save an amount more than or equal to what they had been saving recently. Most cited the current uncertain economic climate as the main reason.