Most Americans are spending less these days as the recession drags on, but older consumers are showing the greatest restraint.

A survey this year of boomers (those born from 1946 to 1964) reported an average of $64 in daily spending, down substantially from $98 in 2008, according to a Gallup poll released Aug. 27.

Spending also decreased among those born before 1930 from $63 a day last year to $35 a day in 2009. Those born between 1930 and 1945 pulled back from spending $84 a day last year to $50 a day this year, the poll found.

Some experts say an economic upswing will likely take longer if boomers, who make up an estimated 36 percent of the adult population, and others continue to sit on their wallets. Consumer spending pulled the United States out of a downturn in 2001, says Ryan Sweet, a senior economist for Moody’s Economy.com.

However, “unlike past recessions, the consumer won’t lead us out of this recession,” Sweet says. “People are very nervous about their jobs and incomes, and nervous consumers very rarely spend.”

Falling home prices, high unemployment and low wage growth have contributed to the anxiety among many consumers. Financial planner Michael Rubino, CEO of Rubino Financial Group in Troy, Mich., says boomers and retirees in particular shouldn’t be spending as much on daily extras like $5 gourmet coffee drinks. Instead, he says, they should be making an effort to save more.

Boomers edging closer to retirement “should delay any discretionary spending” to shore up funds, Rubino says. As for retirees, he says “cash-flow management is critical,” because most live on a fixed income.

Despite the downturn, the biggest spenders this year were members of Generation X (born between 1965 and 1979), who averaged $71 a day, down from $110, according to the poll. Millennials (born between 1980 and 1991) spent $61 a day this year compared with $92 last year.

The poll of 260,000 adults excluded spending on typical household bills and major purchases. The survey was conducted between January 2008 and June 2009.

Carole Fleck is a senior editor at the AARP Bulletin.