National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) Quarter 4 Survey Report

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A nationally-representative survey of 1,200 adults was conducted from December 18 - December 23, 2025.

Key Takeaways








1 Financial Goals for 2026

Which of the following financial goals do you plan to include in your New Year’s resolutions for 2026? Select all that apply. (N = 1,200)
Item Selected
Paying down debt (any type) 42%
Setting and following a budget 39%
Checking my credit report / improving my credit score 36%
Paying off credit card debt 34%
Increasing contributions to a retirement account 21%
Opening a savings account or establishing a savings plan 18%
Saving for children’s college education 12%
Paying off student loan debt 9%
Starting a retirement account (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 8%
Paying off a mortgage 7%
Opening banking accounts (e.g., if currently unbanked) 6%
Taking out a loan to purchase a home 5%
Refinancing a mortgage 3%
Other 5%
None: I do not plan to make financial New Year’s resolutions for 2026 14%

1.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Paying down debt (any type) 39% 46% 42% 40%
Setting and following a budget 53% 43% 36% 25%
Checking my credit report / improving my credit score 47% 41% 31% 24%
Paying off credit card debt 32% 35% 37% 33%
Increasing contributions to a retirement account 21% 27% 26% 9%
Opening a savings account or establishing a savings plan 35% 22% 12% 5%
Saving for children’s college education 15% 18% 7% 4%
Paying off student loan debt 20% 11% 4% 3%
Starting a retirement account (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 16% 11% 5% 1%
Paying off a mortgage 8% 10% 7% 4%
Opening banking accounts (e.g., if currently unbanked) 11% 10% 3% 0%
Taking out a loan to purchase a home 7% 8% 3% 2%
Refinancing a mortgage 4% 4% 3% 2%
Other 5% 4% 5% 7%
None: I do not plan to make financial New Year’s resolutions for 2026 10% 10% 13% 24%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Paying down debt (any type) 40% 44% 44% 37%
Setting and following a budget 40% 37% 45% 38%
Checking my credit report / improving my credit score 39% 36% 35% 29%
Paying off credit card debt 32% 36% 34% 35%
Increasing contributions to a retirement account 10% 21% 31% 40%
Opening a savings account or establishing a savings plan 22% 17% 17% 15%
Saving for children’s college education 8% 10% 13% 26%
Paying off student loan debt 9% 9% 11% 7%
Starting a retirement account (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 9% 8% 9% 6%
Paying off a mortgage 4% 7% 13% 10%
Opening banking accounts (e.g., if currently unbanked) 8% 6% 6% 3%
Taking out a loan to purchase a home 5% 5% 7% 2%
Refinancing a mortgage 2% 3% 7% 5%
Other 5% 5% 4% 4%
None: I do not plan to make financial New Year’s resolutions for 2026 18% 13% 13% 10%

Gender

Response Male Female
Paying down debt (any type) 41% 44%
Setting and following a budget 36% 42%
Checking my credit report / improving my credit score 35% 37%
Paying off credit card debt 35% 34%
Increasing contributions to a retirement account 25% 18%
Opening a savings account or establishing a savings plan 16% 20%
Saving for children’s college education 13% 11%
Paying off student loan debt 8% 10%
Starting a retirement account (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 6% 10%
Paying off a mortgage 7% 8%
Opening banking accounts (e.g., if currently unbanked) 6% 6%
Taking out a loan to purchase a home 5% 6%
Refinancing a mortgage 4% 3%
Other 5% 6%
None: I do not plan to make financial New Year’s resolutions for 2026 15% 13%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Paying down debt (any type) 40% 44% 43%
Setting and following a budget 37% 39% 41%
Checking my credit report / improving my credit score 38% 36% 33%
Paying off credit card debt 32% 35% 36%
Increasing contributions to a retirement account 12% 17% 34%
Opening a savings account or establishing a savings plan 23% 18% 14%
Saving for children’s college education 9% 9% 16%
Paying off student loan debt 6% 10% 11%
Starting a retirement account (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 9% 5% 9%
Paying off a mortgage 5% 6% 10%
Opening banking accounts (e.g., if currently unbanked) 9% 4% 4%
Taking out a loan to purchase a home 7% 5% 4%
Refinancing a mortgage 2% 3% 5%
Other 3% 5% 7%
None: I do not plan to make financial New Year’s resolutions for 2026 18% 15% 10%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Paying down debt (any type) 39% 41% 47%
Setting and following a budget 41% 38% 39%
Checking my credit report / improving my credit score 34% 40% 32%
Paying off credit card debt 38% 30% 36%
Increasing contributions to a retirement account 23% 19% 23%
Opening a savings account or establishing a savings plan 18% 22% 13%
Saving for children’s college education 14% 11% 11%
Paying off student loan debt 11% 10% 6%
Starting a retirement account (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 9% 8% 7%
Paying off a mortgage 8% 5% 10%
Opening banking accounts (e.g., if currently unbanked) 6% 7% 6%
Taking out a loan to purchase a home 7% 5% 5%
Refinancing a mortgage 4% 3% 3%
Other 6% 4% 5%
None: I do not plan to make financial New Year’s resolutions for 2026 12% 16% 14%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Paying down debt (any type) 42% 43% 41% 43%
Setting and following a budget 36% 47% 40% 45%
Checking my credit report / improving my credit score 32% 47% 37% 40%
Paying off credit card debt 33% 39% 34% 37%
Increasing contributions to a retirement account 21% 12% 25% 28%
Opening a savings account or establishing a savings plan 14% 28% 24% 17%
Saving for children’s college education 10% 14% 13% 14%
Paying off student loan debt 6% 14% 13% 12%
Starting a retirement account (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 6% 9% 13% 12%
Paying off a mortgage 7% 6% 9% 8%
Opening banking accounts (e.g., if currently unbanked) 4% 12% 10% 6%
Taking out a loan to purchase a home 4% 7% 9% 4%
Refinancing a mortgage 4% 1% 3% 6%
Other 5% 4% 6% 5%
None: I do not plan to make financial New Year’s resolutions for 2026 17% 9% 9% 14%

2 Anticipated Top Three Expenses for 2026

Which of the following do you anticipate will be your three largest expenses in 2026? Please select up to three options. (N = 1,200)
Item Selected
Paying down debt (credit card, auto, personal loans) 40%
Home-related expenses (excluding mortgage/rent, e.g., home repairs, improvements, maintenance) 36%
Transportation expenses (e.g., buying a car, car repairs, paying off a car loan) 32%
Medical expenses (e.g., treatment, procedures, medications, medical debt) 26%
Major purchase (non-vehicle, e.g., furniture, appliances, electronics) 23%
Retirement savings contributions 15%
Moving expenses (e.g., relocating or changing addresses for any reason) 14%
Expenses related to children (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare, school costs) 13%
Tax-related expenses 12%
College-related expenses (e.g., tuition/fees for yourself or dependents, student loans) 9%
Buying a home or making a down payment 9%
Other 7%

2.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Paying down debt (credit card, auto, personal loans) 31% 40% 45% 42%
Home-related expenses (excluding mortgage/rent, e.g., home repairs, improvements, maintenance) 25% 32% 40% 45%
Transportation expenses (e.g., buying a car, car repairs, paying off a car loan) 37% 30% 33% 28%
Medical expenses (e.g., treatment, procedures, medications, medical debt) 26% 20% 28% 34%
Major purchase (non-vehicle, e.g., furniture, appliances, electronics) 28% 26% 21% 18%
Retirement savings contributions 13% 19% 18% 10%
Moving expenses (e.g., relocating or changing addresses for any reason) 20% 18% 10% 9%
Expenses related to children (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare, school costs) 17% 22% 6% 3%
Tax-related expenses 10% 10% 13% 16%
College-related expenses (e.g., tuition/fees for yourself or dependents, student loans) 22% 9% 8% 1%
Buying a home or making a down payment 12% 12% 7% 4%
Other 6% 7% 6% 10%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Paying down debt (credit card, auto, personal loans) 42% 43% 36% 28%
Home-related expenses (excluding mortgage/rent, e.g., home repairs, improvements, maintenance) 28% 34% 46% 46%
Transportation expenses (e.g., buying a car, car repairs, paying off a car loan) 37% 34% 26% 21%
Medical expenses (e.g., treatment, procedures, medications, medical debt) 27% 28% 26% 22%
Major purchase (non-vehicle, e.g., furniture, appliances, electronics) 23% 22% 26% 24%
Retirement savings contributions 8% 15% 21% 26%
Moving expenses (e.g., relocating or changing addresses for any reason) 22% 13% 9% 9%
Expenses related to children (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare, school costs) 12% 11% 16% 20%
Tax-related expenses 6% 14% 14% 18%
College-related expenses (e.g., tuition/fees for yourself or dependents, student loans) 5% 9% 14% 14%
Buying a home or making a down payment 9% 9% 11% 10%
Other 8% 6% 7% 9%

Gender

Response Male Female
Paying down debt (credit card, auto, personal loans) 37% 43%
Home-related expenses (excluding mortgage/rent, e.g., home repairs, improvements, maintenance) 34% 38%
Transportation expenses (e.g., buying a car, car repairs, paying off a car loan) 31% 32%
Medical expenses (e.g., treatment, procedures, medications, medical debt) 26% 26%
Major purchase (non-vehicle, e.g., furniture, appliances, electronics) 26% 21%
Retirement savings contributions 17% 14%
Moving expenses (e.g., relocating or changing addresses for any reason) 14% 15%
Expenses related to children (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare, school costs) 12% 14%
Tax-related expenses 16% 9%
College-related expenses (e.g., tuition/fees for yourself or dependents, student loans) 9% 10%
Buying a home or making a down payment 10% 9%
Other 8% 6%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Paying down debt (credit card, auto, personal loans) 37% 47% 38%
Home-related expenses (excluding mortgage/rent, e.g., home repairs, improvements, maintenance) 29% 32% 46%
Transportation expenses (e.g., buying a car, car repairs, paying off a car loan) 34% 35% 27%
Medical expenses (e.g., treatment, procedures, medications, medical debt) 25% 30% 26%
Major purchase (non-vehicle, e.g., furniture, appliances, electronics) 27% 21% 22%
Retirement savings contributions 11% 15% 20%
Moving expenses (e.g., relocating or changing addresses for any reason) 20% 14% 9%
Expenses related to children (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare, school costs) 11% 11% 16%
Tax-related expenses 9% 10% 17%
College-related expenses (e.g., tuition/fees for yourself or dependents, student loans) 9% 9% 11%
Buying a home or making a down payment 11% 9% 7%
Other 6% 7% 9%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Paying down debt (credit card, auto, personal loans) 40% 40% 40%
Home-related expenses (excluding mortgage/rent, e.g., home repairs, improvements, maintenance) 36% 32% 40%
Transportation expenses (e.g., buying a car, car repairs, paying off a car loan) 32% 34% 29%
Medical expenses (e.g., treatment, procedures, medications, medical debt) 28% 26% 25%
Major purchase (non-vehicle, e.g., furniture, appliances, electronics) 25% 24% 22%
Retirement savings contributions 15% 15% 16%
Moving expenses (e.g., relocating or changing addresses for any reason) 13% 18% 10%
Expenses related to children (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare, school costs) 13% 10% 16%
Tax-related expenses 11% 12% 13%
College-related expenses (e.g., tuition/fees for yourself or dependents, student loans) 12% 10% 6%
Buying a home or making a down payment 8% 8% 12%
Other 8% 7% 6%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Paying down debt (credit card, auto, personal loans) 40% 45% 38% 34%
Home-related expenses (excluding mortgage/rent, e.g., home repairs, improvements, maintenance) 41% 25% 30% 30%
Transportation expenses (e.g., buying a car, car repairs, paying off a car loan) 30% 32% 35% 35%
Medical expenses (e.g., treatment, procedures, medications, medical debt) 27% 17% 27% 31%
Major purchase (non-vehicle, e.g., furniture, appliances, electronics) 24% 20% 27% 21%
Retirement savings contributions 15% 11% 20% 18%
Moving expenses (e.g., relocating or changing addresses for any reason) 10% 26% 22% 9%
Expenses related to children (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare, school costs) 12% 15% 13% 14%
Tax-related expenses 12% 9% 10% 19%
College-related expenses (e.g., tuition/fees for yourself or dependents, student loans) 8% 17% 7% 14%
Buying a home or making a down payment 8% 14% 12% 6%
Other 8% 5% 4% 10%

3 2025 Major Expenses and Financial Setbacks

Which of the following major expenses or unexpected financial setbacks did your household experience in 2025, if any? Please select all that apply. (N = 1,200)
Item Selected
Unexpected transportation expenses (e.g., major car repairs, vehicle replacement, increased commuting costs) 25%
Unexpected home repairs or maintenance (e.g., roof, plumbing, furnace, water heater) 24%
Falling behind on bill payments or debt obligations (e.g., missed payments, increased fees/interest) 22%
Medical expenses due to injury or illness 21%
Job loss or significant reduction in income (e.g., layoff, reduced hours) 20%
Tax-related expenses (e.g., owing back taxes, penalties, unexpected changes in withholding) 10%
Relocation or moving expenses (e.g., unexpected move, eviction, rent increase requiring relocation) 10%
Loss of health insurance coverage 8%
Child-related expenses (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare emergencies, unexpected school expenses) 7%
Legal expenses (e.g., attorney fees, court costs) 6%
Natural disaster or extreme weather event (e.g., fire, flood, tornado, storm damage) 5%
Elder care expenses (e.g., health complications, in-home care, nursing home costs) 5%
Foreclosure, eviction, or threat of eviction 5%
Bankruptcy filing or related costs 3%
Other 3%
None of the above 23%

3.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Unexpected transportation expenses (e.g., major car repairs, vehicle replacement, increased commuting costs) 26% 28% 25% 18%
Unexpected home repairs or maintenance (e.g., roof, plumbing, furnace, water heater) 17% 23% 27% 26%
Falling behind on bill payments or debt obligations (e.g., missed payments, increased fees/interest) 25% 31% 19% 12%
Medical expenses due to injury or illness 22% 20% 26% 18%
Job loss or significant reduction in income (e.g., layoff, reduced hours) 24% 26% 22% 7%
Tax-related expenses (e.g., owing back taxes, penalties, unexpected changes in withholding) 12% 10% 7% 9%
Relocation or moving expenses (e.g., unexpected move, eviction, rent increase requiring relocation) 15% 11% 7% 5%
Loss of health insurance coverage 10% 9% 9% 2%
Child-related expenses (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare emergencies, unexpected school expenses) 8% 12% 4% 1%
Legal expenses (e.g., attorney fees, court costs) 8% 8% 6% 4%
Natural disaster or extreme weather event (e.g., fire, flood, tornado, storm damage) 6% 7% 4% 3%
Elder care expenses (e.g., health complications, in-home care, nursing home costs) 6% 6% 5% 3%
Foreclosure, eviction, or threat of eviction 6% 8% 3% 1%
Bankruptcy filing or related costs 5% 3% 3% 0%
Other 1% 2% 4% 6%
None of the above 19% 21% 21% 34%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Unexpected transportation expenses (e.g., major car repairs, vehicle replacement, increased commuting costs) 29% 24% 29% 12%
Unexpected home repairs or maintenance (e.g., roof, plumbing, furnace, water heater) 17% 22% 32% 33%
Falling behind on bill payments or debt obligations (e.g., missed payments, increased fees/interest) 33% 22% 15% 8%
Medical expenses due to injury or illness 19% 22% 23% 21%
Job loss or significant reduction in income (e.g., layoff, reduced hours) 27% 21% 14% 9%
Tax-related expenses (e.g., owing back taxes, penalties, unexpected changes in withholding) 7% 9% 12% 14%
Relocation or moving expenses (e.g., unexpected move, eviction, rent increase requiring relocation) 14% 9% 5% 7%
Loss of health insurance coverage 10% 7% 9% 2%
Child-related expenses (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare emergencies, unexpected school expenses) 7% 5% 9% 12%
Legal expenses (e.g., attorney fees, court costs) 7% 6% 9% 5%
Natural disaster or extreme weather event (e.g., fire, flood, tornado, storm damage) 6% 4% 7% 7%
Elder care expenses (e.g., health complications, in-home care, nursing home costs) 6% 5% 5% 5%
Foreclosure, eviction, or threat of eviction 8% 5% 4% 1%
Bankruptcy filing or related costs 2% 3% 2% 2%
Other 2% 4% 1% 3%
None of the above 19% 25% 22% 30%

Gender

Response Male Female
Unexpected transportation expenses (e.g., major car repairs, vehicle replacement, increased commuting costs) 22% 27%
Unexpected home repairs or maintenance (e.g., roof, plumbing, furnace, water heater) 24% 23%
Falling behind on bill payments or debt obligations (e.g., missed payments, increased fees/interest) 17% 27%
Medical expenses due to injury or illness 22% 20%
Job loss or significant reduction in income (e.g., layoff, reduced hours) 18% 22%
Tax-related expenses (e.g., owing back taxes, penalties, unexpected changes in withholding) 11% 8%
Relocation or moving expenses (e.g., unexpected move, eviction, rent increase requiring relocation) 8% 11%
Loss of health insurance coverage 7% 9%
Child-related expenses (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare emergencies, unexpected school expenses) 7% 7%
Legal expenses (e.g., attorney fees, court costs) 7% 6%
Natural disaster or extreme weather event (e.g., fire, flood, tornado, storm damage) 6% 5%
Elder care expenses (e.g., health complications, in-home care, nursing home costs) 5% 6%
Foreclosure, eviction, or threat of eviction 5% 5%
Bankruptcy filing or related costs 3% 3%
Other 3% 3%
None of the above 25% 22%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Unexpected transportation expenses (e.g., major car repairs, vehicle replacement, increased commuting costs) 24% 27% 24%
Unexpected home repairs or maintenance (e.g., roof, plumbing, furnace, water heater) 18% 21% 31%
Falling behind on bill payments or debt obligations (e.g., missed payments, increased fees/interest) 28% 25% 15%
Medical expenses due to injury or illness 20% 23% 22%
Job loss or significant reduction in income (e.g., layoff, reduced hours) 20% 25% 17%
Tax-related expenses (e.g., owing back taxes, penalties, unexpected changes in withholding) 6% 11% 13%
Relocation or moving expenses (e.g., unexpected move, eviction, rent increase requiring relocation) 12% 12% 6%
Loss of health insurance coverage 9% 7% 7%
Child-related expenses (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare emergencies, unexpected school expenses) 5% 5% 10%
Legal expenses (e.g., attorney fees, court costs) 7% 6% 7%
Natural disaster or extreme weather event (e.g., fire, flood, tornado, storm damage) 5% 5% 6%
Elder care expenses (e.g., health complications, in-home care, nursing home costs) 5% 5% 5%
Foreclosure, eviction, or threat of eviction 8% 5% 2%
Bankruptcy filing or related costs 3% 3% 2%
Other 2% 5% 4%
None of the above 26% 21% 22%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Unexpected transportation expenses (e.g., major car repairs, vehicle replacement, increased commuting costs) 23% 26% 24%
Unexpected home repairs or maintenance (e.g., roof, plumbing, furnace, water heater) 20% 24% 26%
Falling behind on bill payments or debt obligations (e.g., missed payments, increased fees/interest) 24% 26% 17%
Medical expenses due to injury or illness 22% 20% 22%
Job loss or significant reduction in income (e.g., layoff, reduced hours) 21% 24% 14%
Tax-related expenses (e.g., owing back taxes, penalties, unexpected changes in withholding) 10% 9% 10%
Relocation or moving expenses (e.g., unexpected move, eviction, rent increase requiring relocation) 10% 11% 8%
Loss of health insurance coverage 9% 8% 5%
Child-related expenses (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare emergencies, unexpected school expenses) 8% 6% 7%
Legal expenses (e.g., attorney fees, court costs) 5% 7% 8%
Natural disaster or extreme weather event (e.g., fire, flood, tornado, storm damage) 5% 6% 5%
Elder care expenses (e.g., health complications, in-home care, nursing home costs) 5% 6% 5%
Foreclosure, eviction, or threat of eviction 5% 6% 4%
Bankruptcy filing or related costs 2% 2% 3%
Other 4% 2% 3%
None of the above 23% 22% 25%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Unexpected transportation expenses (e.g., major car repairs, vehicle replacement, increased commuting costs) 23% 25% 27% 31%
Unexpected home repairs or maintenance (e.g., roof, plumbing, furnace, water heater) 26% 12% 20% 27%
Falling behind on bill payments or debt obligations (e.g., missed payments, increased fees/interest) 19% 36% 27% 19%
Medical expenses due to injury or illness 19% 19% 24% 29%
Job loss or significant reduction in income (e.g., layoff, reduced hours) 18% 24% 23% 26%
Tax-related expenses (e.g., owing back taxes, penalties, unexpected changes in withholding) 9% 10% 10% 10%
Relocation or moving expenses (e.g., unexpected move, eviction, rent increase requiring relocation) 8% 14% 11% 14%
Loss of health insurance coverage 6% 9% 11% 12%
Child-related expenses (e.g., birth/adoption, childcare emergencies, unexpected school expenses) 6% 6% 8% 11%
Legal expenses (e.g., attorney fees, court costs) 7% 9% 6% 4%
Natural disaster or extreme weather event (e.g., fire, flood, tornado, storm damage) 4% 6% 8% 4%
Elder care expenses (e.g., health complications, in-home care, nursing home costs) 4% 7% 8% 3%
Foreclosure, eviction, or threat of eviction 4% 8% 5% 6%
Bankruptcy filing or related costs 3% 1% 4% 1%
Other 4% 2% 3% 1%
None of the above 26% 20% 19% 20%

4 Confidence in Funds for Unexpected Needs

How confident are you that you could come up with $2,000 if an unexpected need arises within the next month? (N = 1,200)
Response Percent
I am certain I could come up with the full $2,000 36%
I could probably come up with $2,000 19%
I could probably not come up with $2,000 13%
I am certain I could not come up with $2,000 26%
Don’t know  5%
Prefer not to answer 1%

4.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
I am certain I could come up with the full $2,000 28% 30% 34% 53%
I could probably come up with $2,000 23% 22% 18% 14%
I could probably not come up with $2,000 18% 12% 16% 6%
I am certain I could not come up with $2,000 24% 28% 27% 22%
Don’t know  6% 6% 4% 4%
Prefer not to answer 1% 1% 1% 2%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
I am certain I could come up with the full $2,000 13% 35% 52% 71%
I could probably come up with $2,000 14% 22% 28% 10%
I could probably not come up with $2,000 17% 15% 6% 2%
I am certain I could not come up with $2,000 44% 23% 11% 13%
Don’t know  10% 4% 1% 3%
Prefer not to answer 2% 1% 1% 0%

Gender

Response Male Female
I am certain I could come up with the full $2,000 44% 28%
I could probably come up with $2,000 20% 19%
I could probably not come up with $2,000 12% 13%
I am certain I could not come up with $2,000 18% 32%
Don’t know  4% 6%
Prefer not to answer 1% 1%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
I am certain I could come up with the full $2,000 21% 31% 54%
I could probably come up with $2,000 17% 20% 22%
I could probably not come up with $2,000 15% 16% 8%
I am certain I could not come up with $2,000 37% 27% 13%
Don’t know  8% 5% 2%
Prefer not to answer 1% 2% 1%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
I am certain I could come up with the full $2,000 37% 30% 42%
I could probably come up with $2,000 20% 19% 20%
I could probably not come up with $2,000 12% 15% 10%
I am certain I could not come up with $2,000 26% 28% 22%
Don’t know  3% 7% 4%
Prefer not to answer 2% 2% 0%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
I am certain I could come up with the full $2,000 43% 16% 23% 44%
I could probably come up with $2,000 18% 27% 18% 24%
I could probably not come up with $2,000 11% 18% 16% 13%
I am certain I could not come up with $2,000 23% 28% 37% 17%
Don’t know  5% 6% 6% 2%
Prefer not to answer 1% 4% 1% 0%

5 Methods for Covering Major Unexpected Expenses

If you were to incur a major unexpected expense today (e.g. replacing an appliance, a major home or car repair, or paying medical expenses), how would you pay for it? Please select all that apply. (N = 1,200)
Item Selected
Credit card(s) 35%
Emergency savings 25%
Cash (not held in emergency savings) 24%
Borrow money from a family member or friend 20%
Sell something I own 18%
Use “Buy Now, Pay Later” for other expenses to free up funds (e.g., groceries, household items) 17%
Ask for a financial gift from a family member or friend 10%
Loan from a bank or credit union (e.g., home equity loan, personal loan) 10%
Withdraw from or borrow against retirement savings (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 9%
Payday loan 6%
Other short-term borrowing option (e.g., pawning, title loan) 5%
Loan or advance from my employer 4%
Other 2%
Could not cover the expense under any circumstances 9%

5.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Credit card(s) 36% 32% 37% 37%
Emergency savings 37% 25% 21% 20%
Cash (not held in emergency savings) 28% 19% 22% 28%
Borrow money from a family member or friend 33% 23% 15% 9%
Sell something I own 24% 24% 14% 7%
Use “Buy Now, Pay Later” for other expenses to free up funds (e.g., groceries, household items) 22% 17% 16% 14%
Ask for a financial gift from a family member or friend 16% 14% 7% 3%
Loan from a bank or credit union (e.g., home equity loan, personal loan) 13% 13% 7% 6%
Withdraw from or borrow against retirement savings (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 5% 10% 9% 10%
Payday loan 7% 8% 4% 3%
Other short-term borrowing option (e.g., pawning, title loan) 5% 8% 2% 2%
Loan or advance from my employer 6% 7% 3% 1%
Other 1% 2% 3% 2%
Could not cover the expense under any circumstances 6% 11% 11% 6%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Credit card(s) 22% 39% 43% 41%
Emergency savings 15% 26% 32% 38%
Cash (not held in emergency savings) 14% 24% 27% 40%
Borrow money from a family member or friend 24% 23% 14% 4%
Sell something I own 24% 19% 13% 4%
Use “Buy Now, Pay Later” for other expenses to free up funds (e.g., groceries, household items) 17% 19% 15% 11%
Ask for a financial gift from a family member or friend 12% 11% 10% 3%
Loan from a bank or credit union (e.g., home equity loan, personal loan) 8% 11% 12% 6%
Withdraw from or borrow against retirement savings (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 6% 9% 16% 8%
Payday loan 7% 6% 5% 1%
Other short-term borrowing option (e.g., pawning, title loan) 7% 5% 3% 1%
Loan or advance from my employer 3% 6% 4% 1%
Other 2% 2% 3% 1%
Could not cover the expense under any circumstances 22% 5% 2% 2%

Gender

Response Male Female
Credit card(s) 38% 33%
Emergency savings 27% 24%
Cash (not held in emergency savings) 30% 17%
Borrow money from a family member or friend 19% 21%
Sell something I own 17% 18%
Use “Buy Now, Pay Later” for other expenses to free up funds (e.g., groceries, household items) 15% 19%
Ask for a financial gift from a family member or friend 10% 10%
Loan from a bank or credit union (e.g., home equity loan, personal loan) 9% 10%
Withdraw from or borrow against retirement savings (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 9% 9%
Payday loan 4% 6%
Other short-term borrowing option (e.g., pawning, title loan) 4% 6%
Loan or advance from my employer 4% 5%
Other 2% 2%
Could not cover the expense under any circumstances 5% 12%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Credit card(s) 25% 37% 44%
Emergency savings 18% 19% 37%
Cash (not held in emergency savings) 18% 21% 31%
Borrow money from a family member or friend 22% 22% 16%
Sell something I own 24% 18% 12%
Use “Buy Now, Pay Later” for other expenses to free up funds (e.g., groceries, household items) 17% 21% 14%
Ask for a financial gift from a family member or friend 11% 9% 9%
Loan from a bank or credit union (e.g., home equity loan, personal loan) 10% 9% 10%
Withdraw from or borrow against retirement savings (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 6% 8% 13%
Payday loan 8% 5% 4%
Other short-term borrowing option (e.g., pawning, title loan) 7% 4% 3%
Loan or advance from my employer 6% 4% 3%
Other 1% 3% 2%
Could not cover the expense under any circumstances 15% 9% 2%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Credit card(s) 40% 31% 36%
Emergency savings 28% 24% 25%
Cash (not held in emergency savings) 22% 23% 26%
Borrow money from a family member or friend 22% 21% 16%
Sell something I own 16% 19% 17%
Use “Buy Now, Pay Later” for other expenses to free up funds (e.g., groceries, household items) 18% 18% 15%
Ask for a financial gift from a family member or friend 11% 11% 8%
Loan from a bank or credit union (e.g., home equity loan, personal loan) 10% 10% 10%
Withdraw from or borrow against retirement savings (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 10% 8% 9%
Payday loan 6% 5% 6%
Other short-term borrowing option (e.g., pawning, title loan) 3% 5% 6%
Loan or advance from my employer 6% 4% 3%
Other 2% 2% 2%
Could not cover the expense under any circumstances 7% 12% 7%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Credit card(s) 37% 24% 33% 44%
Emergency savings 25% 27% 22% 32%
Cash (not held in emergency savings) 24% 18% 18% 36%
Borrow money from a family member or friend 17% 24% 27% 17%
Sell something I own 15% 20% 26% 15%
Use “Buy Now, Pay Later” for other expenses to free up funds (e.g., groceries, household items) 16% 23% 17% 18%
Ask for a financial gift from a family member or friend 9% 13% 13% 9%
Loan from a bank or credit union (e.g., home equity loan, personal loan) 10% 9% 13% 7%
Withdraw from or borrow against retirement savings (e.g., 401(k), IRA) 10% 4% 8% 10%
Payday loan 4% 10% 5% 6%
Other short-term borrowing option (e.g., pawning, title loan) 4% 7% 6% 4%
Loan or advance from my employer 3% 10% 5% 3%
Other 2% 3% 2% 1%
Could not cover the expense under any circumstances 8% 13% 11% 4%

6 Quality of Current Financial Life

How would you rate the current quality of your financial life? (N = 1,200)
Response Percent
Worse than you expected it to be 38%
About what you expected it to be 41%
Better than you expected it to be 16%
Not sure 5%

6.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Worse than you expected it to be 32% 44% 43% 29%
About what you expected it to be 45% 36% 40% 47%
Better than you expected it to be 16% 14% 12% 23%
Not sure 7% 6% 5% 1%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Worse than you expected it to be 51% 39% 24% 21%
About what you expected it to be 32% 43% 51% 45%
Better than you expected it to be 7% 15% 24% 32%
Not sure 10% 3% 1% 2%

Gender

Response Male Female
Worse than you expected it to be 33% 43%
About what you expected it to be 44% 39%
Better than you expected it to be 20% 13%
Not sure 4% 6%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Worse than you expected it to be 39% 46% 31%
About what you expected it to be 39% 38% 46%
Better than you expected it to be 13% 12% 22%
Not sure 9% 3% 1%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Worse than you expected it to be 39% 41% 33%
About what you expected it to be 43% 38% 43%
Better than you expected it to be 14% 14% 20%
Not sure 4% 6% 3%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Worse than you expected it to be 37% 37% 40% 36%
About what you expected it to be 41% 42% 40% 46%
Better than you expected it to be 18% 12% 12% 16%
Not sure 3% 9% 7% 2%

7 Monthly Surplus in Household Finances

Thinking about your monthly finances, how often does your household have money left over at the end of the month? (N = 1,200)
Response Percent
Always 20%
Most months 19%
Some months 22%
Rarely 24%
Never 14%
Prefer not to answer 2%

7.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Always 22% 19% 14% 25%
Most months 17% 16% 21% 21%
Some months 28% 22% 19% 21%
Rarely 21% 24% 28% 21%
Never 10% 18% 17% 11%
Prefer not to answer 3% 2% 1% 1%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Always 8% 19% 31% 36%
Most months 10% 19% 26% 30%
Some months 20% 25% 20% 18%
Rarely 33% 24% 16% 9%
Never 27% 13% 5% 5%
Prefer not to answer 2% 2% 2% 2%

Gender

Response Male Female
Always 25% 15%
Most months 21% 17%
Some months 23% 20%
Rarely 21% 26%
Never 9% 20%
Prefer not to answer 2% 2%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Always 15% 18% 25%
Most months 15% 17% 23%
Some months 21% 21% 24%
Rarely 27% 26% 18%
Never 19% 16% 9%
Prefer not to answer 2% 2% 1%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Always 22% 18% 19%
Most months 19% 16% 23%
Some months 21% 21% 24%
Rarely 24% 26% 20%
Never 14% 17% 13%
Prefer not to answer 1% 2% 1%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Always 21% 17% 18% 21%
Most months 20% 16% 13% 22%
Some months 20% 25% 28% 22%
Rarely 22% 23% 29% 20%
Never 15% 15% 11% 15%
Prefer not to answer 2% 4% 1% 0%

8 Top Contributors to Financial Stress in U.S. Households

In your opinion, which of the following contributes most to financial stress for U.S. households today? Please select one option. (N = 1,200)
Response Percent
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, insurance, transportation) 39%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, home prices, utilities, insurance, maintenance) 27%
Credit card or other debt (student loans, auto loans, personal loans, etc.) 10%
Employment or income instability 7%
Taxes 5%
Childcare expenses 2%
Healthcare costs 8%
Other 2%

8.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, insurance, transportation) 42% 39% 39% 36%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, home prices, utilities, insurance, maintenance) 31% 25% 25% 25%
Credit card or other debt (student loans, auto loans, personal loans, etc.) 7% 10% 9% 13%
Employment or income instability 6% 10% 8% 2%
Taxes 7% 4% 4% 7%
Childcare expenses 2% 3% 1% 1%
Healthcare costs 3% 6% 10% 14%
Other 1% 2% 2% 3%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, insurance, transportation) 47% 35% 37% 38%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, home prices, utilities, insurance, maintenance) 23% 29% 30% 20%
Credit card or other debt (student loans, auto loans, personal loans, etc.) 7% 10% 13% 12%
Employment or income instability 10% 7% 4% 5%
Taxes 5% 5% 7% 7%
Childcare expenses 2% 1% 2% 6%
Healthcare costs 6% 11% 5% 10%
Other 1% 3% 3% 2%

Gender

Response Male Female
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, insurance, transportation) 36% 42%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, home prices, utilities, insurance, maintenance) 24% 28%
Credit card or other debt (student loans, auto loans, personal loans, etc.) 12% 8%
Employment or income instability 6% 8%
Taxes 7% 4%
Childcare expenses 2% 2%
Healthcare costs 10% 7%
Other 2% 2%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, insurance, transportation) 41% 37% 38%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, home prices, utilities, insurance, maintenance) 24% 27% 28%
Credit card or other debt (student loans, auto loans, personal loans, etc.) 9% 10% 10%
Employment or income instability 8% 9% 5%
Taxes 6% 5% 5%
Childcare expenses 2% 1% 3%
Healthcare costs 8% 8% 9%
Other 2% 3% 2%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, insurance, transportation) 45% 40% 31%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, home prices, utilities, insurance, maintenance) 26% 27% 26%
Credit card or other debt (student loans, auto loans, personal loans, etc.) 9% 9% 12%
Employment or income instability 6% 7% 8%
Taxes 3% 5% 7%
Childcare expenses 1% 1% 4%
Healthcare costs 8% 8% 10%
Other 2% 2% 2%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, insurance, transportation) 36% 43% 42% 45%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, home prices, utilities, insurance, maintenance) 28% 18% 29% 25%
Credit card or other debt (student loans, auto loans, personal loans, etc.) 11% 10% 7% 10%
Employment or income instability 6% 13% 9% 3%
Taxes 5% 5% 5% 8%
Childcare expenses 2% 3% 2% 2%
Healthcare costs 10% 8% 6% 5%
Other 3% 1% 1% 1%

9 Financial Obligations Causing Personal Stress

Which of the following financial obligations or expenses, if any, currently cause you stress? Please select all that apply. (N = 1,200)
Item Selected
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 55%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 38%
Saving money for emergencies 31%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 28%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 24%
Saving enough for retirement 24%
Auto loan debt 13%
Student loan debt 11%
Care for a relative or friend due to aging, disability, or illness 10%
Saving enough for a child’s education 7%
Childcare expenses 6%
Other 1%
None of these 12%

9.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 64% 58% 56% 43%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 47% 45% 34% 26%
Saving money for emergencies 40% 37% 28% 20%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 26% 30% 30% 27%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 24% 24% 26% 24%
Saving enough for retirement 24% 26% 32% 11%
Auto loan debt 14% 14% 12% 10%
Student loan debt 23% 13% 8% 2%
Care for a relative or friend due to aging, disability, or illness 10% 12% 13% 4%
Saving enough for a child’s education 8% 12% 6% 1%
Childcare expenses 10% 9% 1% 1%
Other 0% 1% 1% 2%
None of these 8% 10% 9% 22%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 65% 54% 46% 45%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 43% 39% 36% 25%
Saving money for emergencies 38% 31% 26% 24%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 32% 28% 29% 18%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 26% 23% 25% 23%
Saving enough for retirement 13% 25% 27% 38%
Auto loan debt 9% 16% 12% 10%
Student loan debt 9% 13% 11% 9%
Care for a relative or friend due to aging, disability, or illness 10% 9% 12% 10%
Saving enough for a child’s education 5% 5% 11% 15%
Childcare expenses 6% 5% 6% 6%
Other 1% 1% 1% 1%
None of these 8% 12% 14% 19%

Gender

Response Male Female
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 50% 59%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 35% 41%
Saving money for emergencies 26% 35%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 25% 31%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 23% 26%
Saving enough for retirement 24% 23%
Auto loan debt 12% 13%
Student loan debt 9% 13%
Care for a relative or friend due to aging, disability, or illness 10% 10%
Saving enough for a child’s education 7% 8%
Childcare expenses 7% 5%
Other 1% 1%
None of these 16% 9%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 57% 58% 51%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 35% 40% 41%
Saving money for emergencies 30% 34% 31%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 27% 34% 26%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 21% 26% 27%
Saving enough for retirement 14% 22% 34%
Auto loan debt 12% 12% 13%
Student loan debt 6% 15% 14%
Care for a relative or friend due to aging, disability, or illness 11% 8% 10%
Saving enough for a child’s education 5% 7% 10%
Childcare expenses 5% 5% 6%
Other 1% 2% 1%
None of these 12% 11% 13%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 60% 54% 51%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 42% 37% 37%
Saving money for emergencies 36% 34% 24%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 33% 27% 26%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 26% 25% 23%
Saving enough for retirement 25% 25% 21%
Auto loan debt 13% 12% 13%
Student loan debt 13% 13% 8%
Care for a relative or friend due to aging, disability, or illness 10% 11% 8%
Saving enough for a child’s education 7% 7% 8%
Childcare expenses 5% 7% 5%
Other 1% 2% 1%
None of these 11% 13% 13%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 56% 47% 60% 53%
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 39% 33% 41% 40%
Saving money for emergencies 30% 26% 34% 39%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 27% 28% 29% 33%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 26% 14% 22% 30%
Saving enough for retirement 25% 16% 19% 32%
Auto loan debt 13% 13% 13% 10%
Student loan debt 10% 12% 14% 15%
Care for a relative or friend due to aging, disability, or illness 9% 14% 11% 8%
Saving enough for a child’s education 7% 8% 7% 8%
Childcare expenses 4% 7% 9% 6%
Other 1% 0% 0% 2%
None of these 13% 15% 7% 14%

10 Greatest Source of Financial Relief

Which of the following, if any, would give you the greatest financial relief if it were no longer a burden for you? Please select one option. (N = 1,200)
Response Percent
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 27%
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 20%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 13%
Saving enough for retirement 8%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 6%
Saving money for emergencies 5%
Auto loan debt 4%
Student loan debt 3%
Care for a relative due to aging, disability, or illness 3%
Saving enough for a child’s education 2%
Childcare expenses 1%
Other 1%
None of these 6%

10.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 29% 27% 27% 24%
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 24% 21% 19% 17%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 7% 13% 14% 16%
Saving enough for retirement 7% 7% 12% 7%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 5% 4% 7% 10%
Saving money for emergencies 7% 6% 4% 5%
Auto loan debt 1% 4% 5% 6%
Student loan debt 7% 3% 3% 1%
Care for a relative due to aging, disability, or illness 4% 3% 3% 2%
Saving enough for a child’s education 3% 2% 1% 0%
Childcare expenses 1% 3% 0% 0%
Other 1% 0% 2% 2%
None of these 5% 6% 4% 10%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 26% 26% 27% 29%
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 26% 19% 16% 17%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 12% 14% 11% 10%
Saving enough for retirement 5% 8% 12% 11%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 3% 6% 10% 11%
Saving money for emergencies 9% 6% 2% 1%
Auto loan debt 3% 5% 4% 2%
Student loan debt 3% 4% 2% 4%
Care for a relative due to aging, disability, or illness 4% 3% 3% 2%
Saving enough for a child’s education 1% 0% 4% 3%
Childcare expenses 1% 2% 2% 1%
Other 1% 1% 1% 2%
None of these 6% 6% 5% 7%

Gender

Response Male Female
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 27% 26%
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 17% 23%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 13% 12%
Saving enough for retirement 9% 7%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 7% 6%
Saving money for emergencies 4% 7%
Auto loan debt 4% 4%
Student loan debt 2% 4%
Care for a relative due to aging, disability, or illness 4% 2%
Saving enough for a child’s education 1% 2%
Childcare expenses 2% 1%
Other 1% 1%
None of these 8% 4%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 22% 25% 32%
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 26% 21% 14%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 11% 15% 13%
Saving enough for retirement 7% 7% 11%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 5% 7% 7%
Saving money for emergencies 8% 5% 3%
Auto loan debt 4% 6% 2%
Student loan debt 1% 3% 6%
Care for a relative due to aging, disability, or illness 4% 3% 2%
Saving enough for a child’s education 1% 2% 2%
Childcare expenses 1% 1% 2%
Other 1% 1% 1%
None of these 9% 5% 4%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 24% 29% 27%
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 21% 21% 18%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 14% 12% 13%
Saving enough for retirement 10% 7% 8%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 6% 5% 8%
Saving money for emergencies 7% 6% 3%
Auto loan debt 2% 4% 6%
Student loan debt 5% 4% 2%
Care for a relative due to aging, disability, or illness 2% 3% 4%
Saving enough for a child’s education 2% 2% 1%
Childcare expenses 2% 1% 1%
Other 1% 1% 1%
None of these 4% 6% 8%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Housing costs (e.g., rent, mortgage payments, renter/homeowner insurance, maintenance) 28% 19% 26% 28%
Cost of everyday living (e.g., groceries, utilities, transportation) 19% 20% 23% 19%
Personal debt (credit card, personal loan, Buy Now Pay Later) 14% 12% 11% 12%
Saving enough for retirement 9% 4% 10% 8%
Medical or healthcare expenses (including medical debt) 9% 2% 4% 3%
Saving money for emergencies 4% 11% 8% 6%
Auto loan debt 4% 5% 4% 4%
Student loan debt 3% 5% 3% 5%
Care for a relative due to aging, disability, or illness 3% 4% 3% 2%
Saving enough for a child’s education 1% 4% 1% 3%
Childcare expenses 1% 1% 3% 3%
Other 1% 0% 1% 2%
None of these 5% 13% 5% 6%

11 Impact of Cost of Living Increases on Monthly Budgets

How has your monthly budget been affected by the increase in the cost of living? (N = 1,200)
Response Percent
No impact 6%
Minor impact 21%
Moderate impact 42%
Severe impact 28%
Not sure 3%

11.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
No impact 5% 5% 4% 10%
Minor impact 20% 15% 20% 29%
Moderate impact 47% 40% 44% 39%
Severe impact 23% 35% 30% 21%
Not sure 5% 5% 2% 1%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
No impact 3% 7% 6% 9%
Minor impact 11% 21% 26% 34%
Moderate impact 39% 43% 44% 43%
Severe impact 41% 27% 22% 10%
Not sure 5% 3% 1% 3%

Gender

Response Male Female
No impact 7% 5%
Minor impact 24% 18%
Moderate impact 44% 41%
Severe impact 23% 33%
Not sure 3% 4%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
No impact 6% 6% 5%
Minor impact 18% 18% 25%
Moderate impact 39% 40% 47%
Severe impact 32% 33% 21%
Not sure 5% 3% 2%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
No impact 4% 4% 9%
Minor impact 21% 18% 24%
Moderate impact 41% 44% 41%
Severe impact 31% 30% 24%
Not sure 2% 4% 3%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
No impact 7% 3% 5% 6%
Minor impact 22% 20% 15% 21%
Moderate impact 42% 38% 44% 46%
Severe impact 26% 30% 34% 24%
Not sure 3% 9% 2% 3%

12 Participation in Personal Finance Courses or Training

Have you had the opportunity to take a course or training focused on personal finance? (N = 1,200)
Response Percent
Yes, in school 13%
Yes, outside of school (e.g., community program, nonprofit, religious group, employer, or online course) 18%
No, I have not 66%
Not sure 4%

12.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Yes, in school 28% 12% 8% 7%
Yes, outside of school (e.g., community program, nonprofit, religious group, employer, or online course) 18% 19% 15% 18%
No, I have not 48% 66% 73% 74%
Not sure 6% 4% 4% 1%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Yes, in school 8% 15% 18% 12%
Yes, outside of school (e.g., community program, nonprofit, religious group, employer, or online course) 9% 18% 25% 27%
No, I have not 76% 65% 56% 58%
Not sure 7% 3% 1% 3%

Gender

Response Male Female
Yes, in school 16% 10%
Yes, outside of school (e.g., community program, nonprofit, religious group, employer, or online course) 20% 15%
No, I have not 60% 71%
Not sure 3% 4%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Yes, in school 11% 13% 15%
Yes, outside of school (e.g., community program, nonprofit, religious group, employer, or online course) 6% 20% 27%
No, I have not 79% 63% 55%
Not sure 5% 4% 3%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Yes, in school 14% 13% 13%
Yes, outside of school (e.g., community program, nonprofit, religious group, employer, or online course) 17% 19% 16%
No, I have not 67% 62% 69%
Not sure 2% 6% 2%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Yes, in school 11% 16% 19% 12%
Yes, outside of school (e.g., community program, nonprofit, religious group, employer, or online course) 17% 14% 18% 25%
No, I have not 69% 62% 62% 57%
Not sure 3% 8% 1% 5%

13 Duration of Personal Finance Instruction

Note: This question only shown to respondents who have had a personal finance course or training.

How would you describe the length of the personal finance instruction you received? (N = 349)
Response Percent
A full semester or course 35%
A few weeks or several lessons 32%
A single workshop or class 15%
Informal tips, videos, or advice only 13%
Not sure 4%

13.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
A full semester or course 54% 31% 21% 27%
A few weeks or several lessons 27% 34% 33% 37%
A single workshop or class 6% 17% 25% 17%
Informal tips, videos, or advice only 9% 16% 16% 14%
Not sure 4% 2% 4% 5%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
A full semester or course 45% 33% 28% 42%
A few weeks or several lessons 28% 34% 35% 26%
A single workshop or class 3% 18% 18% 14%
Informal tips, videos, or advice only 12% 12% 17% 14%
Not sure 12% 3% 2% 3%

Gender

Response Male Female
A full semester or course 37% 32%
A few weeks or several lessons 32% 33%
A single workshop or class 16% 14%
Informal tips, videos, or advice only 12% 16%
Not sure 3% 6%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
A full semester or course 44% 33% 33%
A few weeks or several lessons 27% 30% 36%
A single workshop or class 14% 15% 16%
Informal tips, videos, or advice only 12% 17% 12%
Not sure 4% 6% 3%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
A full semester or course 32% 38% 35%
A few weeks or several lessons 34% 26% 41%
A single workshop or class 16% 18% 10%
Informal tips, videos, or advice only 14% 14% 11%
Not sure 3% 5% 3%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
A full semester or course 32% 48% 37% 35%
A few weeks or several lessons 35% 26% 34% 22%
A single workshop or class 16% 10% 13% 19%
Informal tips, videos, or advice only 14% 9% 11% 20%
Not sure 3% 7% 4% 4%

14 Value of Personal Finance Instruction

Note: This question only shown to respondents who have had a personal finance course or training.

How valuable do you consider the personal finance course or training you received? (N = 349)
Response Percent
Very valuable 37%
Somewhat valuable 45%
Not sure of the value 10%
Somewhat invaluable 5%
Not at all valuable 2%

14.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Very valuable 30% 40% 35% 46%
Somewhat valuable 54% 41% 41% 41%
Not sure of the value 9% 11% 15% 8%
Somewhat invaluable 6% 5% 3% 5%
Not at all valuable 1% 3% 5% 0%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Very valuable 38% 33% 41% 45%
Somewhat valuable 35% 51% 43% 39%
Not sure of the value 21% 8% 11% 5%
Somewhat invaluable 1% 5% 4% 8%
Not at all valuable 4% 2% 1% 3%

Gender

Response Male Female
Very valuable 39% 37%
Somewhat valuable 45% 44%
Not sure of the value 10% 12%
Somewhat invaluable 5% 6%
Not at all valuable 2% 2%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Very valuable 35% 32% 42%
Somewhat valuable 49% 43% 44%
Not sure of the value 9% 15% 8%
Somewhat invaluable 0% 7% 6%
Not at all valuable 6% 3% 0%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Very valuable 36% 35% 43%
Somewhat valuable 46% 48% 38%
Not sure of the value 9% 10% 13%
Somewhat invaluable 5% 5% 5%
Not at all valuable 3% 2% 1%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Very valuable 36% 39% 39% 38%
Somewhat valuable 45% 45% 51% 34%
Not sure of the value 12% 13% 3% 14%
Somewhat invaluable 7% 0% 1% 9%
Not at all valuable 0% 2% 5% 6%

15 Mandatory High School Personal Finance Course

Note: This question only shown to respondents who have not had a personal finance course or training.

Do you wish you were required to complete a semester or year-long course focused on personal finance during high school? (N = 808)
Response Percent
Yes 64%
No 36%

15.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Yes 71% 68% 65% 55%
No 29% 32% 35% 45%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Yes 58% 65% 73% 68%
No 42% 35% 27% 32%

Gender

Response Male Female
Yes 60% 67%
No 40% 33%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Yes 56% 68% 73%
No 44% 32% 27%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Yes 73% 56% 66%
No 27% 44% 34%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Yes 65% 56% 65% 70%
No 35% 44% 35% 30%

16 Impact of Financial Education in School on Financial Well-Being

Note: This question only shown to respondents who have not had a personal finance course or training.

Do you believe the quality of your financial life would be better had you received financial education in school? (N = 808)
Response Percent
Yes 53%
No 23%
Not sure 24%

16.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Yes 61% 61% 47% 44%
No 18% 15% 24% 34%
Not sure 21% 23% 28% 22%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Yes 50% 55% 54% 53%
No 23% 25% 20% 21%
Not sure 27% 20% 26% 26%

Gender

Response Male Female
Yes 51% 55%
No 24% 22%
Not sure 25% 23%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Yes 51% 54% 55%
No 27% 23% 17%
Not sure 22% 23% 28%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Yes 57% 48% 54%
No 13% 29% 26%
Not sure 29% 23% 20%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Yes 50% 52% 62% 57%
No 26% 20% 18% 17%
Not sure 24% 29% 21% 26%

17 Economic Conditions in the Community

How would you rate the economic conditions in your community today? (N = 1,200)
Response Percent
Excellent 6%
Good 27%
Fair 43%
Poor 24%

17.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Excellent 8% 10% 2% 3%
Good 27% 24% 25% 35%
Fair 39% 38% 52% 43%
Poor 26% 28% 21% 19%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Excellent 4% 6% 9% 9%
Good 14% 30% 33% 43%
Fair 43% 43% 46% 36%
Poor 39% 21% 13% 12%

Gender

Response Male Female
Excellent 8% 5%
Good 35% 20%
Fair 41% 45%
Poor 16% 30%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Excellent 8% 4% 6%
Good 22% 25% 35%
Fair 42% 44% 42%
Poor 28% 27% 17%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Excellent 7% 5% 7%
Good 21% 21% 41%
Fair 47% 43% 38%
Poor 25% 30% 14%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Excellent 5% 7% 9% 5%
Good 30% 25% 22% 26%
Fair 43% 44% 40% 45%
Poor 22% 24% 29% 24%

18 Economic Conditions in the Country

How would you rate the economic conditions in the country today? (N = 1,200)
Response Percent
Excellent 4%
Good 18%
Fair 36%
Poor 41%

18.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Excellent 8% 7% 1% 2%
Good 13% 20% 20% 18%
Fair 32% 31% 41% 42%
Poor 48% 42% 38% 38%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Excellent 4% 5% 5% 3%
Good 8% 22% 24% 19%
Fair 37% 36% 35% 39%
Poor 51% 37% 37% 39%

Gender

Response Male Female
Excellent 5% 4%
Good 24% 12%
Fair 37% 35%
Poor 33% 49%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Excellent 6% 3% 4%
Good 17% 17% 20%
Fair 34% 37% 37%
Poor 43% 42% 40%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Excellent 5% 3% 6%
Good 8% 12% 36%
Fair 30% 39% 38%
Poor 57% 47% 20%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Excellent 3% 6% 8% 3%
Good 20% 11% 17% 16%
Fair 37% 42% 30% 33%
Poor 39% 40% 46% 48%

19 Gender Identity

What is your current gender identity? (N = 1,200)
Response Percent
Man 48%
Woman 51%
Non-binary 1%
Another gender identity 0%
Prefer not to say 0%

19.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Man 41% 46% 45% 58%
Woman 54% 52% 55% 42%
Non-binary 4% 1% 0% 0%
Another gender identity 1% 0% 0% 0%
Prefer not to say 1% 1% 0% 0%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Man 33% 51% 56% 60%
Woman 65% 47% 44% 38%
Non-binary 2% 1% 0% 2%
Another gender identity 1% 0% 0% 0%
Prefer not to say 0% 1% 0% 0%

Gender

Response Male Female
Man 98% 0%
Woman 0% 100%
Non-binary 1% 0%
Another gender identity 0% 0%
Prefer not to say 1% 0%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Man 40% 48% 55%
Woman 58% 50% 44%
Non-binary 1% 2% 1%
Another gender identity 1% 0% 0%
Prefer not to say 0% 0% 0%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Man 40% 51% 51%
Woman 58% 47% 48%
Non-binary 2% 1% 1%
Another gender identity 0% 1% 0%
Prefer not to say 0% 1% 0%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Man 47% 42% 53% 51%
Woman 51% 57% 44% 49%
Non-binary 1% 1% 2% 0%
Another gender identity 0% 1% 1% 0%
Prefer not to say 1% 0% 0% 0%

20 Transgender Identity

Are you transgender? (N = 1,200)
Response Percent
Yes 2%
No 97%
Prefer not to say 1%

20.1 Crosstabs

Age

Response 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Yes 5% 2% 1% 0%
No 94% 97% 99% 100%
Prefer not to say 1% 1% 0% 0%

Income

Response < $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 > $150,000
Yes 3% 1% 1% 1%
No 96% 98% 98% 99%
Prefer not to say 0% 1% 1% 0%

Gender

Response Male Female
Yes 2% 0%
No 97% 100%
Prefer not to say 1% 0%

Education

Response HS or less Some college/2-yr degree 4-yr/post-graduate degree
Yes 2% 1% 2%
No 97% 98% 98%
Prefer not to say 1% 1% 0%

Party ID

Response Democrat Independent Republican
Yes 3% 2% 1%
No 96% 97% 99%
Prefer not to say 0% 1% 0%

Race/Ethnicity

Response White Black Hispanic Other
Yes 2% 1% 3% 2%
No 98% 99% 96% 97%
Prefer not to say 1% 0% 1% 1%

Survey Details

Data for this survey were collected from December 18 - December 23, 2025. The sample consists of 1,200 United States adults.

The sampling criteria for this survey were:

  1. US resident
  2. Adult (age 18+)

The selection criteria for the final sample were:

  1. Passed all data quality assurance checks, outlined below

The data are weighted to match the September 2025 Current Population Survey on age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, and metropolitan status, as well as to a running three-year average of partisanship distributions from the Pew Research Center NPORS benchmarking surveys and population benchmarks of 2024 vote. The margin of sampling error, which accounts for the design effect and is calculated using the classical random sampling formula, is +/- 2.9%.

To ensure data quality, a number of post-data collection quality assurance procedures are implemented, including confirming that all responses correspond with U.S. IP addresses, confirming no duplicate respondents, verifying the absence of non-human responses, and removing any respondents who failed in-survey attention, speeding, and/or straight-lining checks. Respondents who completed the survey in less than 30% of the median completion time were also removed.

Unmeasured error in this or any other survey may exist.

Numbers in tables that do not add to 100% are due to rounding.

 
NEFE


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