Forget vacations. These 3 everyday expenses are blowing up Americans’ summer budgets

Summer has put a serious financial squeeze on consumers. According to a new report, three main expenses drove up financial pressure this summer more than anything else — none of which were luxurious trips to the ocean. 

The August 2026 report comes from the consumer trends research platform PYMNTS. According to the research, the majority of consumers will be paying off summer debts into the fall. 58% say they will be suffering from what the report calls a summer “financial hangover.”

The debt isn’t impacting the generations equally, however. Overwhelmingly, it’s Gen Zers who are taking their summer debt into another season. 77% of the generation will move into fall with the shadow of summer expenses, followed by 70% of Bridge Millennials (adults born in the 1980s), 72% of Millennials, and 55% of Gen X. Only 36% of Boomers say the same.

Interestingly, it’s not Gen Zers coffee habits or fancy vacations that are driving their summer budgets into worrisome territory. It’s the everyday expenses. The biggest expense that’s putting the squeeze on consumers is groceries, with 53% citing the cost of provisions as the main cost pressure. Utility bills came in second at 46%, followed by gas or transportation at 36%. 

While summer is often thought to be a time filled with a number of additional expenses, such as summer camp or costly trips, costs typically associated with summer weren’t the main driver of financial pressure this year. Only 19% of consumers cited travel as a culprit of their financial woes, followed by back-to-school shopping at 10%. Just 6% mentioned summer camps or childcare.

Summer expenses are more than stressful, however. They can get in the way of consumers’ ability to keep up financially and afford their basic needs. And summer came with an uptick in how many consumers started living paycheck-to-paycheck. Around one in seven who said they were keeping up with their budgets ahead of the start of summer reported that they’re now firmly in paycheck-to-paycheck territory. 

Many consumers said they are used to summer financial stress. 48% said that this summer has been about the same in terms of financial pressure when compared to recent years. However, a large portion — 38% — felt that this summer was more financially taxing than that of recent years. 

By the looks of the new research, while summer is on its way out, the financial impacts of the season will linger for many even as the warmer weather fades.