The mood among Americans regarding their financial future has taken a dramatic turn for the worse, with expectations about real income growth over the next 1-2 years hitting an all-time low. According to recent data, this pessimism surpasses even the depths of despair during the Financial Crisis and the economic downturns of the 1980s, painting a bleak picture of public sentiment. This decline in optimism reflects broader economic uncertainties and the struggle to keep pace with inflation, which has been eroding purchasing power and savings.