The mood worsened for the third straight month, but many Americans have financial cushions.

Retail sales rose in June, yet inflation is still a factor in how and where people are willing to spend.

They’ve been up and down like a bouncing ball for the past few months.

Americans are reassured that businesses are still operating. Yet some economic uncertainty lingers.

Confidence ticked down in November, but so far, each wave of COVID seems to have less of an impact on how consumers feel.

Many people are happy with the job market — higher wages and more openings. Fewer people like where the overall economy is headed.

Inflation is eating away at incomes while the delta variant is discouraging consumers from going out and spending.

The delta variant is causing some consumer pullback, and the expiration of pandemic unemployment benefits on Sept. 5 could play a role in spending.

But as long as people are holding onto their jobs, they’ll still have money to buy.

The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index shows the rise of the delta variant this summer has curbed spending.