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In 2025, many Americans are finding it harder than ever to afford health care. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center shows that 27% of people in the U.S. had trouble paying for medical care for themselves or their families in the past year. This is due to several factors, including ongoing inflation, new tariffs that make imported medical goods more expensive, and uncertainty about the economy. Health care costs are rising faster than before and now make up a bigger portion of household spending. As a result, families are being forced to rethink their budgets and make tough choices about what they can and can't afford.

In September 2025, U.S. consumer confidence dropped sharply as rising prices and new tariffs made life more expensive for many Americans. A recent survey from the University of Michigan showed that people are feeling more worried about the economy, especially those in lower- and middle-income groups. This nervousness comes from continued high inflation—where the cost of everyday goods like food and gas stays high—and tariffs, or taxes on imports, that make things cost even more. As a result, the Federal Reserve is expected to lower interest rates in an effort to boost the economy and ease financial pressure on households.

Mortgage rates in the U.S. have recently dropped to 6.35% for a 30-year fixed loan, the lowest they've been in nearly a year. This change comes as many expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates soon, possibly by half a point. The rate drop has already led to a 10% jump in mortgage applications, as more people see this as a good time to buy a home. These lower rates are happening during a time when the economy is facing challenges like high inflation, job market struggles, and global conflicts that are driving up the cost of energy and food. For homebuyers, this could be a smart chance to lock in a better deal before rates potentially rise again.

As the 2025 holiday season nears, Gen Z is cutting back on spending more than any other age group. A recent report from PwC shows that overall holiday spending in the U.S. is expected to drop by 5%, with Gen Z reducing their budgets by an eye-catching 23%. This is a big shift from last year, when they actually increased their holiday spending by 37%. Rising prices, job worries, and the added pressure of adult responsibilities are pushing young Americans to spend more carefully. While Millennials and Gen X are keeping their holiday budgets about the same, Baby Boomers expect to spend a little more this season. These changes show a clear shift in how different generations are handling money during uncertain economic times.

In September 2025, American consumers are feeling more worried about the economy, according to a new survey from the University of Michigan. The consumer sentiment score dropped to 55.4, the lowest it has been in four months. People are especially concerned about rising prices, unstable job markets, and how these issues are affecting their personal finances. Inflation has recently climbed to 2.9%, the highest in seven months, making everyday goods and services more expensive. Many families, especially those with lower or middle incomes, are feeling the pressure, and fears of a potential recession are adding to their anxiety. Global events and recent changes to U.S. trade policies are also making people uncertain about what’s next for the economy.

In August 2025, inflation in the United States continued to rise, making things more expensive for everyday people. Prices went up 2.9% compared to the same time last year, which is higher than the Federal Reserve’s goal of keeping inflation at 2%. Core inflation, which leaves out the often-changing prices of food and gas, stayed high at 3.1%. Items many people rely on—like gas, groceries, hotels, and plane tickets—got even more expensive. At the same time, the job market has slowed down, meaning fewer new jobs are being created. This puts the Federal Reserve in a tough spot: they must decide whether to lower interest rates to support the job market, even though doing so could make inflation worse.