Why the Upper Middle Class Is Quietly Cutting Back in 2026 — and What It Means for You

You might not notice it at first glance, but something’s changing in how the upper middle class spends. The once-free-flowing brunches, impulse travel plans, and home renovation projects are slowing down. It’s not a crisis, more like a quiet recalibration. As 2026 unfolds, many well-off Americans are tightening their belts, and not just because of inflation. A recent CBS News poll, two-thirds of Americans said they expect the rise in costs to continue. According to Kevin Marshall, CPA and the lead con ...