Americans Are Growing 'Extremely Worried' About Inflation Again— 6 In 10 Have Put Off Big Buys, Report Shows

Americans Are Growing 'Extremely Worried' About Inflation Again— 6 In 10 Have Put Off Big Buys, Report Shows Americans Are Growing 'Extremely Worried' About Inflation Again— 6 In 10 Have Put Off Big Buys, Report Shows Tanya Rawat Sun, May 24, 2026 at 12:01 PM GMT+2 7 min read Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. A new JD Power report published Thursday found that 62% of Americans delayed major purchases in the last month as higher gas, grocery and household costs continued straining consumer budgets. The report said affordability concerns are intensifying across the country as inflation and higher living expenses pressure household finances.

About 87% of consumers said they are worried prices for everyday goods will continue rising in the coming months, while 41% described themselves as "extremely worried," up from 37% two months earlier. JD Power also found that 69% of Americans remained financially unhealthy in April, with many consumers reporting weaker spending power and growing difficulty managing regular expenses. Inflation rose 3.

8% year-over-year in April, marking the biggest annual increase since May 2023. Don't Miss: Think Your ‘Safe' Stocks Protect You? You're Ignoring the Real Growth Triggers — Here's What to Add Now Caught With Nothing Saved for Retirement?

These 5 Game‑Changing Tips Could Still Save You Groceries, Gas Costs Bite JD Power said gasoline and grocery prices remained the biggest affordability concerns for households. Around 72% of consumers said they paid more for gas compared with the previous month, while 78% reported higher grocery prices. The report also found that 52% of Americans believe their normal expenses are less affordable than they were six months ago.

Vulnerable consumers, stressed households and Americans over the age of 40 reported the highest levels of financial strain. The survey warned that prolonged financial pressure could reduce savings, increase debt burdens and force some Americans to delay homeownership and retirement plans. JD Power also said some consumers may increasingly rely on emergency retirement withdrawals to manage rising costs.

Trending: Think you're saving enough for your kids? You might be dangerously off — see why Inflation Risks The findings arrive amid growing concerns over another potential wave of food inflation. Earlier this week, market commentary account The Kobeissi Letter warned fertilizer prices had surged 44% since the start of the Iran conflict , raising risks for future grocery prices.

The affordability concerns also come as economists warn inflation pressures could intensify further because of rising energy costs linked to the Iran conflict and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Economist Mark Zandi recently warned that the U. S.

economy was becoming "fragile" as slowing consumer spending, elevated inflation and geopolitical tensions continued pressuring household finances. Story Continues A recent CNN/SSRS poll also found that 77% of Americans believe President Donald Trump's policies have increased the cost of living ahead of the midterm elections. Image via Shutterstock Read Next:  Still Learning the Market?

These 50 Must-Know Terms Can Help You Catch Up Fast A single bad hire can set a startup back years. Here are the 5 hires founders most often misjudge — and why Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend. Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment.

That's why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-income opportunities, professional financial guidance, precious metals, and even self-directed retirement accounts. By spreading exposure across multiple asset classes, it becomes easier to manage risk, capture steady returns, and create long-term wealth that isn't tied to the fortunes of just one company or industry. Rad AI RAD Intel is an AI-driven marketing platform helping brands improve campaign performance by turning complex data into actionable insights for content, influencer strategy, and ROI optimization.

Positioned within the multi-hundred-billion-dollar digital marketing industry, the company works with global brands across sectors to improve targeting precision and creative performance using its analytics and AI tools. With strong revenue growth, expanding enterprise contracts, and a Nasdaq ticker reserved under $RADI, RAD Intel is opening access to its Regulation A+ offering, giving investors exposure to the growing intersection of AI, marketing, and creator economy infrastructure. Immersed Immersed is a spatial computing company building immersive productivity software that enables users to work across multiple virtual screens inside VR and mixed-reality environments.

Its platform is used by remote workers and enterprises to create virtual workspaces that reduce reliance on traditional physical hardware while improving focus and collaboration. The company is also developing its own lightweight VR headset and AI productivity tools, positioning itself in the future-of-work and spatial computing space. Through its pre-IPO offering, Immersed is opening access to early-stage investors looking to diversify beyond traditional assets and gain exposure to emerging technologies shaping how people work.

Connect Invest Connect Invest is a real estate investment platform that allows investors to access short-term, fixed-income opportunities backed by a diversified portfolio of residential and commercial real estate loans. Through its Short Notes structure, investors can choose defined terms (6, 12, or 24 months) and earn monthly interest payments while gaining exposure to real estate as an asset class. For investors focused on diversification, Connect Invest may serve as one component within a broader portfolio that also includes traditional equities, fixed income, and other alternative assets—helping balance exposure across different risk and return profiles.

rHealth rHealth is building a space-tested diagnostics platform designed to bring lab-quality blood testing closer to patients in minutes rather than weeks . Originally validated in collaboration with NASA for use aboard the International Space Station, the technology is now being adapted for at-home and point-of-care settings to address widespread delays in diagnostic access. Backed by institutions including NASA and the NIH, rHealth is targeting the large global diagnostics market with a multi-test platform and a model built around devices, consumables, and software.

With FDA registration in progress, the company is positioning itself as a potential shift toward faster, more decentralized healthcare testing. Arrived Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100 .

This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly. Masterworks Masterworks enables investors to diversify into blue-chip art, an alternative asset class with historically low correlation to stocks and bonds . Through fractional ownership of museum-quality works by artists like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso, investors gain access without the high costs or complexities of owning art outright.

With hundreds of offerings and strong historical exits on select works, Masterworks adds a scarce, globally traded asset to portfolios seeking long-term diversification. Lightstone Lightstone DIRECT gives accredited investors access to institutional-quality multifamily real estate opportunities backed by a vertically integrated operator with more than $12 billion in assets under management and a 40-year track record. With more than 25,000 multifamily units nationwide — including significant exposure to low-supply Midwest markets where rent growth has remained resilient — Lightstone is positioning investors to benefit from tightening housing supply, strong occupancy trends, and long-term rental demand.

Through Lightstone DIRECT, individuals can co-invest alongside the firm, which commits at least 20% to each deal, offering exposure to professionally managed multifamily assets designed to generate durable income and long-term appreciation beyond the traditional stock market. AdviserMatch AdviserMatch is a free online tool that helps individuals connect with financial advisors based on their goals, financial situation, and investment needs . Instead of spending hours researching advisors on your own, the platform asks a few quick questions and matches you with professionals who can assist with areas like retirement planning, investment strategy, and overall financial guidance.

Consultations are no-obligation, and services vary by advisor, giving investors a chance to explore whether professional advice could help improve their long-term financial plan. Accredited Debt Relief Accredited Debt Relief is a debt consolidation company focused on helping consumers reduce and manage unsecured debt through structured programs and personalized solutions . Having supported more than 1 million clients and helped resolve over $3 billion in debt, the company operates within the growing consumer debt relief industry, where demand continues to rise alongside record household debt levels.

Its process includes a quick qualification survey, personalized program matching, and ongoing support, with eligible clients potentially reducing monthly payments by 40% or more. With industry recognition, an A+ BBB rating, and multiple customer service awards, Accredited Debt Relief positions itself as a data-driven, client-focused option for individuals seeking a more manageable path toward becoming debt-free. © 2026 Benzinga.

com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.