Big ticket items have become a no-no for many consumers, with confidence dipping

The ANZ Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Index fell four points to 96 in January, with a drop in people willing to buy an expensive item.

Any number over 100 means more people are optimistic than pessimistic.

December had the first positive number in more than three years.

Despite January's fall in confidence - there's a small increase in people who think they'll be better off in a year.