U.S. Consumers Cut Back As Inflation, Tariffs, And Uncertainty Shift Spending

A growing number of U.S. consumers are tightening their budgets, according to The Wall Street Journal. Economic uncertainty, inflation pressures, and tariff-driven price hikes are reshaping spending habits across income levels. Executives at major retailers and consumer goods companies say Americans are abandoning discretionary purchases and returning to deal-hunting strategies. While essential products like groceries and personal care items still sell, shoppers are cutting back, buying in bulk, clipping coupons, and seeking lower-cost alternatives. Companies report a clear shift toward value as families forego luxuries, scale back subscriptions, and scrutinize everyday costs, signaling broad anxiety over rising prices and stagnant wages.