Consumer confidence seems to be up, as more than two-thirds of American workers and retirees say rising fuel costs have not affected their summer vacation plans and about 45 percent of workers and 35 percent of retirees plan to make home improvements this summer, according to the latest Principal Financial Well-Being Index.

However, nearly half of those surveyed believe a rise in fuel costs could affect their future summer plans, and the majority of those who are making home improvements (63 percent of workers and 73 percent of retirees) are tapping into savings to pay for them.

The high cost of gasoline also is influencing Americans’ car purchasing decisions (33 percent of workers and 29 percent of retirees), use of alternative transportation or carpools (18 percent of workers and 9 percent of retirees) and switch to other fuel grades (14 percent of workers and 9 percent of retirees).

The Principal Financial Well-Being Index surveys American working adults at businesses with 10 to 1,000 employees and retired Americans. It is released each quarter by Principal Financial Group Inc. and conducted by Harris Interactive.