with inflation now at levels not seen in decades americans are cutting back on everything from gas to groceries according to a new survey from the american consumer credit counseling accc organization the financial health index survey released tuesday by the bostonbased nonprofit group found that 31 of people polled said they had reduced spending on fuel and transportation while 19 said they had cut back on grocery shopping another area of concern is vacation spending 24 said they were postponing any travel and another 26 said they were modifying travel plans to reduce costs and so much for a night at the movies 33 said they were trimming their entertainment budget “on a broader level 93 of survey respondents said that rising costs have impacted their family’s lifestyle ” on a broader level 93 of survey respondents said that rising costs have impacted their family’s lifestyle and 55 said they were “not so confident” or “not at all confident” in the us economy the rate of inflation increased to 85 in march a 40year high accc president and chief executive allen amadin said the survey’s results show that the “surge in costs…is a significant burden on american households” amadin added that the cutting back in key areas like grocery shopping and transportation as opposed to discretionaryspending categories is especially worrisome “we have entered an entirely new level of challenge” he said