Readers Optimistic About America, Mixed on Holiday Spending Plans

Thanksgiving Day is a time of reflection, so just ahead of the holiday, we asked readers to think about the year past and the season.

Our questions probed both their thoughts about their personal, household economics, and their outlook on our national future.

We discovered an apparent disconnect between respondents’ general attitude toward their own economic situation, which was overall positive, and how they expected economic conditions to impact their holiday spending.

On that score, their assessment was more subdued.

In assessing the state of the nation, readers were overall optimistic—with one exception.

Household Economy

This year began with inflation at 3 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That fell to 2.3 percent by April but had returned to 3 percent by September.

Overall, nearly two-thirds of respondents (64 percent) believed their families were better off today than one year ago. However, that number was almost equally split between those thinking they were “very much” (31 percent) rather than “somewhat” improved.

A healthy majority (58 percent) believed the economy in their community was measurably improving compared with one year ago. Here the divide between those who very much thought so (20 percent) and those who somewhat agreed (38 percent) was wider.

Half of respondents said they felt very much (23 percent) or somewhat (27 percent) confident they were better able to afford holiday expenses. The other half were either neutral on the question (27 percent) or felt less able to spend this year.

Holiday Spending

Americans this year plan to take fewer holiday trips and spend about 18 percent less on travel, according to a recent consumer survey. Consumer confidence was down this month as well, and that seemed to be reflected in respondents’ views on holiday spending.

On one hand, most respondents (55 percent) said their household’s current economic conditions would have little (28 percent) or no effect (34 percent) on their plans for gatherings, travel, or hosting this season.

Yet respondents were closer to a split on the pressure they felt from the cost of food and travel in making holiday plans. Forty-one percent felt either some or very much pressure, while 48 percent felt little or none.

A plurality of respondents (26 percent) were unsure whether they would spend more on holiday gifts this year than last year. The number of those somewhat inclined to spend more (24 percent) was about equal to that of those somewhat inclined to spend less (23 percent).

Personal Financial Outlook

Confidence rebounded when respondents were asked to consider their personal economic future.

About three-quarters (76 percent) felt confident of their ability to handle an unexpected expense during the holiday and winter months. Fully half (50 percent) believed so strongly.

A nearly equal number (76 percent) reported optimism about their household’s economic status heading into the next year.

National Direction

Respondents showed the most optimism when thinking about the future of the country.

An overwhelming 84 percent of respondents rated the direction of the country today as either “way better” (54 percent) or “somewhat better” (30 percent) than it was last year.

A strong majority (72 percent) of our respondents also felt a sense of pride in being American.

Sixty-five percent believed America was doing better at living up to its founding values, though most of them (39 percent) qualified their response as “somewhat better.”

A majority (51 percent) believed the country was doing better at providing equal treatment under the law, though the majority of them (32 percent) said it was only somewhat better.

However, respondents saw a worsening of the nation’s ability to address challenges due to political division. Two-thirds (66 percent) believed the county’s ability to respond to important challenges had worsened. Forty-four percent believe the situation is “way worse.”

Asked to state the issue that matters most right now, the economy was cited by 33 percent of respondents, and illegal immigration by 30 percent of respondents.

One reader wrote, “Affordability, across the board,” mentioning food, energy costs, and insurance premiums in particular. “I’m not sure where the great economy is, but it isn’t helping my household.”

Another said, “Food and fuel prices where I live are through the roof—up over 20 percent since February.”

Others mentioned the cost of health insurance, housing, taxes, and everyday household goods.

Regarding illegal immigration, many readers expressed support for ongoing deportation operations. Others expressed concern over illegal immigrant crime, the provision of government benefits to those here without a legal status, and the impact of disregarding immigration law on American society.

Readers mentioned several other issues in comparable numbers: crime, corruption, political division, socialism or Marxism, and debt.

“A return to lawfulness matters most to me right now,” one reader stated. “A country can’t survive or thrive without laws.”

Another said, “Both political parties need to work together. Nothing will get done with all the hateful words and divisions.”

“Both sides need to put ‘we the people’ first, period,” a reader said. “We want to be governed for the good of all the people, all the time.”

This reader poll was conducted by email and social media on Nov. 26–27 and received 14,434 responses.