ByMary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes Staff.
More than half of Americans say it’s been harder to afford the things they want to give as holiday gifts this year and more than four in 10 say they're struggling to afford the food they're buying for holiday meals as President Donald Trump and members of his administration continue to insist voters aren’t struggling with the cost of living.
Almost half (48%) of respondents to a new AP-NORC poll said they're shopping for nonessential items less than usual this year, drawing more from savings (39% of respondents) and looking more closely for deals (50%) as prices rise across the board.
Another 48% of people said they’re delaying big purchases as part of tightening their belts, up from 31% of people who said the same when the question was asked in 2021.
