Americans react to high gas prices, economic concerns: 'You have to make cuts somewhere'
Americans are cutting back on spending amid economic concerns.
Americans are deeply negative on the economy with nearly 8 in 10 Americans rating the economy poorly.
Late July polling from the Associated Press and NORC found that 41% of Americans said they were concerned about being able to afford groceries over the next few months, up from 24% in April. Nearly half of Americans said the cost of groceries was a major source of stress.
ABC News spoke with Americans across the country to see how they are dealing with higher prices.
Brian Shirley, a 59-year-old comedian, actor and DJ from Charleston, South Carolina, said he is "treading water pretty good right now," and has tried to cut back on driving and spending. The Republican said he always tries to grocery shop with a coupon.
"Every time you walk outside," Shirley said, "you spend money. You try to coordinate your errands," to limit driving miles.
Joseph Johnson, a 56-year-old who works for an investment group and lives in Conyers, Georgia, said he has cut back on spending to live within his budget so he's prepared for retirement. The independent voter said, "I'm very concerned with food prices rising, gas prices rising. Just the cost of living: Rising."
Sandy Miller, a 63-year-old who lives in Worthington, Indiana, and cares for her disabled adult daughter, says she is "falling behind a little more every month." She says that she "used to say she was a strong Republican," but that that has changed. She voted for President Donald Trump in 2024 but would not again if given the chance today.
A CNN poll found just 30% of Americans approved of how Trump was handling the economy this July, down from 44% in March 2025. While single digits of Democrats approved both times, Republicans' ratings of how Trump was handling the economy have declined by 22 percentage points from 88% then to 66% now.
"When you go into the grocery store and you walk out with two bags and it was $100 -- and it's just essentials -- bread, milk, eggs, a few household supplies," Miller said, "When everything rises but your salary, you have to make cuts somewhere."
Walter Mortaya, a 52-year-old semi-truck driver who lives in Adelanto, California, said he has been working more hours to accomplish the same financial goals as before. He says he has also cut back. "We try to eat more at home instead of going out," the Democrat said.
The AP/NORC poll found that more than 6 in 10 Americans have cut down on eating out due to high prices.
Gas prices
A 56% majority of Americans said they were "very concerned" about the price of gas according to a July Pew Research Center poll, up from 34% in January. The AP/NORC poll found 40% saying the cost of gas was a major source of stress, up from under 27% in February. The CNN poll found that about three-quarters of Americans said that gas prices had caused financial hardship for their household.
Miller, the caretaker in Indiana, said the cost of gas is "a constant stress." To save money, she makes fewer trips and makes do without some items.
"Gas is crazy," said Mortaya, the truck driver, "I try to drive less. If I can walk to places, I do." Mortaya's company pays for the gas he puts in his truck for work but his commute is far -- one hour to get to work in the morning and almost two hours to get back -- and he pays for that gas. He tries not to speed to save money and uses apps to find deals on gas.
Johnson in Georgia said he's trying to drive his electric car more than his gas car, but charging his electric car seems to cost as much as the gas for his other car. "You either deal with it or complain," he said.
All of the Americans ABC News spoke with brought up the conflict with Iran when asked about gas prices.
Shirley, from South Carolina, said, "if we get this war over with, which Trump doesn't seem to be in any hurry to do," he believes that would improve the economy.
Johnson, from Georgia, said, "There is no answer to the Strait of Hormuz." He added, "It's just going to trickle down and affect America more and more. Higher gas prices means higher food prices, higher energy, higher everything."
Mortaya said he blamed "starting a war that we don't have to" for the cost of gas. "I expect it to get worse," he said, "The prices of gas goes up, then the prices of everything else goes up. A domino effect."
Trump continues to express positivity about the negotiations with Iran, blaming others for high gas prices.
On Sunday, Trump said a new deal with Iran was "imminent," and said that negotiations were "working out quite well," on Thursday, but that "you never know" what could happen.
He promised on Wednesday that as soon as the war ends, oil and gas prices would go down.
Housing costs
The Pew poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans saying they were very concerned about the cost of housing. And the AP-NORC poll found 4 in 10 saying the cost of housing was a major source of stress.
Shirley, the actor and comedian in South Carolina, said he had lived on his own in an apartment building, but it was bought by a new company and his rent was raised 50%. Around a year ago, he moved into a house where he has his own bedroom but shares a bathroom and kitchen with others. Rent in the community house is more than it was at the apartment building before the increase. "I miss being on my own," Shirley said.
He sees how others are living in the Charleston area when he DJs their pool parties. "They're putting up all these brand new ridiculous apartments," he said. About one particular building, "it was beautiful, but who the hell can afford it?"
Liz Schreier contributed to this report.
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