Americans spend nearly $400 each weekend on summer leisure activities

DailyPay ordered a July 2026 online poll of 2,000 internet-connected Americans, which shows the typical weekend summer outing costs roughly $400. The most common pursuits are restaurant meals, trips to parks, beaches or lakes, and cinema outings, followed by parties and road trips. While 50% of participants admit they allocate the most money to socializing, a majority report that financial pressures make a vibrant social life difficult to sustain; 73% say income constraints limit their summer plans and 57% feel money hinders quality time with loved ones.

Over half are taking on extra work or side gigs to keep up socially, and 42% have lost friends because they cannot afford to keep pace. The survey also highlights strong support—71%—for on-demand pay options to ease cash-flow timing issues. Poulomi Damany of DailyPay linked the findings to the tension between financial stress and the desire for in-person connection.