WASHINGTON (March 30, 2012)--U.S. consumers boosted their spending in February by the most in seven months, but incomes barely grew and the saving rate fell to its lowest point in more than two years, the U.S. Commerce Department said Friday.

The Commerce Department says consumer spending rose 0.8 percent last month, but income growth ticked up only 0.2 percent, the same as in January, and when taking inflation into account, income after taxes fell for a second straight month.

Spending increased by the most since July after the best three-month hiring stretch in two years, but few who have jobs are getting big raises.

Consumers also are paying higher prices for gas, which could slow spending.

Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of the economic activity in the U.S.