Americans dip into savings, seek bargains as holiday inflation persists, poll shows

An AP-NORC poll finds 87% of Americans notice higher grocery prices, with roughly half struggling to afford holiday gifts amid persistent inflation.

About 4 in 10 are dipping into savings, while many rely on buy-now-pay-later programs to spread out holiday spending over time.

Only 2 in 10 Americans believe the economy will improve next year, showing limited faith in Trump’s tariff and tax-cut policies.

This holiday season isn’t quite so merry for American shoppers as large shares are dipping into savings, scouring for bargains and feeling like the overall economy is stuck in a rut under President Donald Trump, a new AP-NORC poll finds.

The vast majority of U.S. adults say they’ve noticed higher than usual prices for groceries, electricity and holiday gifts in recent months, according t