Americans are planning to spend cautiously this summer, cutting back on dining out and other discretionary purchases while prioritizing travel and memorable experiences amid continued inflation and cost pressures, according to a new survey from KPMG.
The KPMG Consumer Pulse Summer 2026 Survey, conducted in partnership with consumer intelligence firm CivicScience, found that many consumers are making strategic trade-offs in household budgets to preserve spending on travel and leisure while reducing expenses in categories viewed as less essential.
Sixty percent of Americans said they plan to travel this summer, with nearly 40% centering those plans around a specific desired experience. Budget concerns are influencing how consumers travel, however, with shorter trips of one to three days favored over traditional weeklong vacations.
Travel by car remains the most popular option, cited by 62% of respondents, while 51% said they expect to fly.
To make room for summer travel in their budgets, many households are scaling back food-related spending. The survey found that 76% of consumers are considering eating at home more often to save money, while 31% reported they rarely or never go out for dinner or order takeout because of financial constraints.
When consumers do choose to eat away from home, they are more likely to opt for lower-cost options. Quick-service restaurants were preferred by 25% of respondents, outpacing casual dining and fine dining choices.
Grocery bills also remain a major concern, with 54% of consumers expecting to spend more on groceries this year than they did last year.
Beyond travel and food, wellness spending continues to be a priority, though consumers are focusing on practical, everyday products rather than luxury purchases. Over the past six months, supplements and vitamins saw the largest increase in spending at 25%, followed by skincare at 16% and oral care at 15%.
At the same time, alcohol consumption at home declined 36% over the past three months, with the steepest reductions among Gen X and baby boomers. Many consumers instead said they plan to drink more water and eat healthier this year.
“Wellness spending is stratified, with younger generations prioritizing mental health and older generations doubling down on physical fitness,” says Julia Wilson, KPMG U.S. principal, consumer & retail strategy. “What cuts across every age group is a shift toward everyday essentials that feel affordable and impactful. Brands that understand where they fit in that priority set will be better positioned to hold their place in the basket.”
The survey combined responses from 1,544 U.S. consumers surveyed by KPMG and between 868 and 3,432 respondents surveyed by CivicScience during February and March 2026.
