The mood among American consumers, by many accounts, is grim. This sense of uncertainty and anxiety has intensified throughout 2025. Both military and trade wars continue to simmer as political divisions widen. The cumulative weight of inflation, coupled with concerns about the U.S. fiscal situation and interest rates that remain higher than their pre-COVID levels, all contribute to a collective unease. The alarmist tone of much of the media only serves to amplify these anxieties, creating a climate where apprehension seems to be the default setting.