This monthly snapshot captures how people across the US responded to rising costs, global uncertainty, and everyday lifestyle shifts as the weeks unfolded. All insights come from real-time responses shared by the OnePulse community as the month unfolded.
Week 11 of 2026
Tariffs, oil prices, and shifting spending habits
The month opened with a ruling that brought tariffs back into focus. After the Supreme Court found some Trump-era tariffs illegal, companies like FedEx said any refunded money would go back to original customers. Over half (56%) expect those refunds to come through.
In Washington, attention turned to military authority. Lawmakers on both sides are questioning how long a president should be able to carry out military action without clear limits, and 3 in 4 said the uncertainty has them on edge.
Zoom out a bit, and the global picture isn’t exactly calming either. Oil prices are creeping up, and the idea of hitting $100 a barrel isn’t just a headline anymore, Americans are starting to feel it. Most said they’d start hunting for cheaper options or cutting back on essentials if it gets there.
Walmart is rolling out more branded fuel stations across the US, betting that pairing low gas prices with its retail experience is exactly what stretched budgets need right now. Just over half (52%) said they like seeing big retailers move into spaces like fuel and convenience.
Then there were stories that had nothing to do with oil prices or tariffs. Media habits were quietly shifting too. Podcasts have officially edged past talk radio, and it’s not hard to see why. People are gravitating toward niche topics, on-demand listening, and, honestly, just better storytelling.
And while the world was loud, two people kept it quiet. Tom Holland and Zendaya quietly tied the knot, staying true to the low-key approach they’ve kept up for years. Close to 3 in 5 said pulling off that kind of privacy in today’s world feels harder than ever.
Week 12 of 2026
Conversations, choices, and shifting mood
Conversations picked up quickly around International Women’s Day, especially online. Most people said they saw it mainly on social media, with many drawn to celebrating achievements, sharing women’s stories, and inspiring younger generations.
Meanwhile, the Apple Maps versus Google Maps comparison picked up again, with people putting both to the test in real time. Nearly 2 in 3 said Google Maps gives better directions overall.
A health study got people thinking about everyday habits. News that multivitamins may slow biological aging caught attention, and 57% said it made them more likely to consider taking one.
Then, a serious incident in New York shifted the tone. 44% said they’re very concerned, with another 48% saying they feel at least some level of concern.
Week 13 of 2026
Spring, AI warnings and everyday adjustments
Spring is starting to bloom, and flowers are showing up everywhere. Tulip festivals drew crowds in cities like Washington, D.C., and about 3 in 4 said they’d visit a big display if one came to their area. Even Death Valley joined in, with rare wildflowers covering the desert, and 4 in 5 said they’d love to see it in person.
But that sense of calm didn’t last everywhere. A massive weather system brought everything from blizzards to wildfire risk, and 7 in 10 said extreme weather events feel more common lately.
At the same time, conversations in Washington turned toward media and regulation. Trust in agencies like the FCC is low, with 57% saying they have little to no trust, while about 1 in 3 said they have some.
Rising costs and supply concerns were harder to ignore. Around 2 in 3 beef eaters said they’ve noticed prices going up a lot, and many said they’d either cut back or look for cheaper options if it continues.
Meanwhile, talk around AI started to feel more cautious. 53% said warnings from tech leaders make them more worried, and 7 in 10 believe AI will replace many jobs, with some already thinking about how to adapt.
In another headline, Joe Kent stepped down from his national security role, drawing strong reactions. About 3 in 4 said they support his decision to resign over the issue.
On the spending side, habits continue to shift. 4 in 10 said they’re being more selective, often cutting back on eating out, shopping, or travel.
That same mindset is showing up online, too. Fast delivery has long been a major draw in shopping, but more than 8 in 10 are now open to waiting longer if it means paying less.
Week 14 of 2026
Bounce in markets, but doubts remain
Stocks bounced back to start the week, with major indexes climbing over 1%, and about 2 in 5 saw that as good news. But the bigger picture feels less settled, with 29% saying they think the economy will get worse in the months ahead.
That uncertainty is showing up in housing, too. Mortgage rates are ticking higher again, with the average 30-year loan around 6.45%, and for many, buying a home still feels out of reach. In fact, about 1 in 2 said exactly that, even as some hold out hope rates could ease later this year.
And beyond day-to-day costs, some are thinking even bigger. Nearly 1 in 2 said the cost of living is the main reason people are leaving Western countries, pointing to a shift that’s starting to feel more common.
Meanwhile, Costco made an unexpected move into fertility care, bringing healthcare into a space it’s not usually associated with. The reaction leaned positive, with about 1 in 3 calling it innovative and a similar share feeling cautiously optimistic, while roughly 1 in 6 landed somewhere in the middle.
Weight-loss drugmakers in the US are cutting prices quickly as competition grows and more people pay out of pocket. As prices fall, around 2 in 3 see that as a good thing. Looking ahead, about 1 in 3 say these drugs becoming a normal part of everyday health feels like the most likely outcome.
The Supreme Court is also taking up a case that could shape how mail-in ballots are counted going forward. At the center is whether ballots must arrive by Election Day or simply be sent by then. Around 2 in 3 say ballots should still count if they arrive after Election Day, as long as they were sent on time.
On a different note, Apple Maps updates got a much sharper response. More than half said ads appearing during navigation would be annoying.
All statistics are based on real-time responses collected from the OnePulse community in March 2026.
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