Yep, I've noticed it too.
I'll hit the end of the week. Nothing broke, I was pretty frugal all week, and I still have $50 left from my "allowance."
(FYI: I give myself $200 a week for gas, groceries, dog food, car maintenance, clothing, dates, entertainment, etc.)
I'll wander through Walmart, Target, the local mall, Best Buy, Home Depot, Borders, Harbor Freight... nothing catches my eye. No movies, no video games, no tools, no books.
It's all junk now. I stick the extra money in the gunsafe now, sock it away for roadtrips.