In January, consumers borrowed $17.8 billion, bringing outstanding consumer debt to $2.51 trillion. Greater borrowing could be a good sign, showing that consumers are more confident -- the magical emotion that can spur spending and help the economy rebound. But Dan Alpert, managing partner at Westwood Capital, says not to start welcoming the confidence fairy yet. As he reads the numbers, something more troubling is going on. New data today from the Conference Board show that consumer confidence slipped slightly in February and is around the same level as a year ago, despitethe big increase in borrowing. Alpert says people don't have many reasons to be optimistic. Unemployment is still above 8%. Where they met shortfalls in the past by taking out home equitylines of credit, families now are turning to student loans.