It’s not just about prices going up. It’s about how people are responding to it.

"I work at a high school, and we are on the verge of canceling prom because no one can afford the tickets."

"The amount of straight-up inflation combined with shrinkflation means that I just try to avoid the chip aisle. There's basically nothing in there that's worth it, especially when there's half as much in the bag as there used to be."

"This. There's even a new app that's been advertised lately where you can bet on practically anything."

"Canceled streaming services. Bought a DVD/Blu-ray player, and browse the library collection for movies monthly." 

"I was a bartender for years, and weekend happy hour was never a thing. In fact, the bars where I worked never really ran specials over the weekends because they knew they’d get a crowd regardless.

I’ve quit bartending and drinking, so I don’t have firsthand knowledge of what the economy is doing to the drinking crowd, but I definitely notice the emptiness in places that were once packed all week long. I’m so happy I got out of it when I did!!!"

"Every year, there's an RV show in the parking lot of our local mall. Drove past it several times last week and saw zero people checking out the display models. Traditionally, RV sales have been a leading indicator for the health of the economy. I would not be surprised to see catastrophically low sales numbers for 2025 and 2026."

"We're pretty high-income, and I walked out of a store at the counter after the tariffs hit shelves. I was buying some shirts and a quarter-zip from a brand I already own, but wanted different colors. Didn't think about the price at all since I've bought it before. Got to the register and had a stroke when they rang them up. That's the first time I've ever walked away from a register without buying what I put up there."

"I had the opposite problem. Every single flight I was on was filled to the max simply because they have fewer flights anymore due to fuel prices."

"I work at a custom countertop shop — our business used to be 75–80% residential, 20% commercial, and it has completely flipped — we are now 80% commercial jobs and 20% residential (and continuing to fall), and that is the only way the doors are still open. NOBODY except the wealthy is buying this stuff right now."

"I usually go to the Dollar Tree by my house because they carry cinnamon toothpaste for a fair price. I have noticed a lot of people doing a full shopping trip there."

"Yup, the nearest outlet to us is 45 minutes away, which I used to justify the drive by how much we saved on our shopping. Used to go every three months or so for clothes, school supplies, sports equipment, and home goods for our family of five.

Now, not only do I have a hard time justifying the purchases at the outlet itself, but that 45 minutes of gas eats away any savings I might have made. We pay full price with less travel time now, and it just evens out at this point."

"Interesting that you say that. I wanted to see a comedian who is fairly new to big tours. His ticket prices were insane, $200-plus. This was months ago. 

Got a notification that ticket prices dropped earlier this week. I honestly don’t remember the last time I’ve seen that for someone getting actively popular and more mainstream."

"The post-grocery guilt that used to be reserved for splurges hitting after a normal Tuesday shop is a very specific feeling."

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.