Consumers hit savings to repay debt, purchase durable goods 

Americans continue dipping into savings to pay down debt and purchase durable goods, such as electronics, appliances and furniture. TransUnion said its credit risk index fell again in the second quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarterly decline. The index, which uses 1998 consumer credit levels as a benchmark, fell 1.9% to 121.22 during the three months ended June 30 from 123.56 a year earlier.