Summer Fun? In This Economy? Americans Say Yes - But Cut Back On Spending

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May 22, 2025, 09:00 ET

New Trustpilot data reveals U.S. consumers are committed to summer vacation while budgeting harder, staying local, and checking reviews for trustworthy deals

NEW YORK, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Trustpilot, the world's largest independent customer feedback platform, today released its 2025 Summer Spending Survey, revealing new insights on how rising costs are influencing U.S. consumer spending. More than half (55%) of respondents report budgeting and saving for spending on summer activities, with 42% reporting they plan to spend less this summer on activities like concerts and travel than last summer, and nearly half (46%) plan to spend under $500. The data highlights a growing sense of financial caution among consumers this summer, reflecting broader concerns about affordability and economic uncertainty.

Spending plans highlight that most U.S. consumers are trying to keep this summer low-key, with 37% cutting back on summer spending and travel in order to save money. Meanwhile, 20% are prioritizing low-cost or free activities to stretch their budgets. Nearly a quarter (23%), however, plan on spending more on activities this summer than in past years.

The survey also reveals that travel plans will be impacted, with only 24% saying they are prioritizing travel and cutting back elsewhere to afford their travel plans. More than one-third (37%) said they are changing their travel habits this summer and staying local instead of taking a long-distance trip, and 19% aren't making any changes to their travel habits or spending.

U.S. Consumers are also cutting back on shopping (35%), streaming and entertainment subscriptions (18%), winter/spring travel (17%), and even groceries (13%) to afford fun this summer. To limit taking on debt, 17% are using credit cards to fund their spending this summer and only 7% plan to use Buy Now Pay Later offerings – the rest are planning to use their savings or regular income.

Staying on budget won't be easy but U.S. consumers aren't opposed to missing out in order to save money – 18% have turned down at least one planned activity and 29% have turned down a couple of planned activities. To stay the course, nearly half (49%) said they're only buying what they know they'll like and plan to read reviews before making purchases, while 21% will set monitoring alerts and wait for prices to drop.

"Summer fun isn't slowing down, but with tighter budgets, consumers are becoming more intentional, cutting back on risky spending and prioritizing quality time and experiences over material goods," said Dana Bodine, U.S. Vice President of Marketing at Trustpilot. "Whether it's planning a local family getaway or gearing up for a beach day with friends, reviews are a key tool to help Americans get the most out of their time and money this summer, so they can focus on enjoying it with the people who matter most."

The survey of 1,001 consumers, conducted from May 7-9, 2025, reveals how financial concerns are influencing summer spending decisions, what consumers are prioritizing spending on this summer, and how they'll finance their summer activities.

Rising Costs Are Shaping Spending Behavior

For 42% of U.S. consumers, their summer budgets are less than last year's, and for 30% their 2025 summer budget is more than 2024:

When asked to pick between shopping, experiences (concerts, festivals), travel and vacations, or prioritizing building their savings, 36% said they are prioritizing building their savings this summer.
37% are planning to cut back on summer spending (activities, travel, concerts, etc) and do less to save money this summer, while 20% are prioritizing low-cost or free activities to stretch their budgets
20% are planning to spend less than $100, and 26% are planning to keep their spending between $100 - $499

Staycations Are In

Nearly one-fifth (19%) of U.S. consumers are keeping their travel plans as is:

44% haven't turned down or had to put off a summer plan this year due to cost
31% are prioritizing travel and vacations
37% are staying local instead of taking a trip, while 24% are not changing their travel plans and cutting back elsewhere to afford it

Financing This Year's Summer Fun

More than half (55%) of U.S. consumers budgeted and saved for summer activities this year, while 45% didn't:

54% are using their regular income to fund their summer spending
17% are planning to use credit cards
Only 7% are planning to use BNPL services

Staying Within Budget Won't Be Easy

Survey revealed how U.S. consumers plan to stay on track with their summer spending:

49% will only buy what they know they'll like, and/or by looking at reviews before hitting 'buy'
21% will set up monitoring alerts and wait for prices to drop, since none of their plans are urgent
17% will lean into FOMO and say, "I don't need to attend every event this summer."
12% will check in with close friends or family to bundle purchases and split costs

Top Expenses U.S. consumers Are Sacrificing

U.S. consumers revealed the key expenses they're most likely to cut back on to afford summer spending:

Shopping (35%)
Streaming / Entertainment Subscriptions (18%)
Winter / Spring Travel (17%)
Groceries (13%)

Methodology

In collaboration with the market research company Qualtrics, the review platform Trustpilot conducted an online survey of 1,001 people aged 18-75 in the United States about their summer activities. The survey ran from May 7-9, 2025.

About Trustpilot

Trustpilot began in 2007 with a simple yet powerful idea that is more relevant today than ever — to be the universal symbol of trust, bringing consumers and businesses together through reviews. Trustpilot is open, independent, and impartial — we help consumers make the right choices and businesses to build trust, grow and improve.

Today, we have more than 320 million reviews and 70 million monthly active users across the globe, with 140 billion annual Trustbox impressions, and the numbers keep growing. We have more than 1,000 employees and we're headquartered in Copenhagen, with operations in Amsterdam, Denver, Edinburgh, Hamburg, London, Melbourne, Milan and New York.