About half of U.S. adults feel that no matter how hard they try to get ahead financially, something always comes up to set them back (53%).
Financial Setbacks Undermine American Optimism
Many Americans feel trapped in a cycle of financial strain, with about half (53%) stating that no matter how hard they try to get ahead there are unforeseen challenges hold them back. Nearly half (48%) also report feeling like they are constantly treading water financially, where even a single unexpected expense could pull them under. One-third (33%) say they are just getting by, illustrating a persistent struggle that cuts across household budgets and income levels.
Government Volatility Fuels Personal Financial Anxiety
Americans’ financial concerns are amplified by fears surrounding the broader political and economic climate. Almost two-thirds (63%) express worry that political partisanship and volatility in the U.S. government will negatively impact their personal finances in the coming year. This anxiety is compounded by economic instability, with almost three in five (57%) agreeing that current uncertainty in the U.S. economy makes it impossible to reach their long-term financial goals.
Confidence in Financial Decisions Doesn’t Match Reality
While many Americans feel confident in their decision-making ability, two-thirds (65%) gave themselves an A or B grade when assessing their capacity to make good personal finance decisions, fewer (56%) rated the actual state of their personal finances as highly. This gap between financial knowledge and financial outcomes suggests that external factors, such as macroeconomic conditions and governmental uncertainty, may be overwhelming even the most prudent planning.
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Half of Americans Feel Financially Adrift Amid Economic Uncertainty
Research publisher
Founded in 1951, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) is the oldest nonprofit dedicated to improving people’s financial well-being. With a nationwide network of NFCC Certified Credit Counselors serving 50 states and all U.S. territories, NFCC nonprofit counselors are financial advocates, empowering millions of consumers to take charge of their finances through one-on-one financial reviews that address credit card debt, loans, housing decisions, and overall money management. For expert guidance and advice, call (800) 388-2227 or visit www.nfcc.org.
Methodology
The 2025 Financial Literacy and Preparedness Survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of NFCC from February 20 – March 17, 2025, among 2,010 U.S. adults ages 18 and older representative of the U.S. general population. Results for the general population consumer audience were weighted where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the population. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval; for the Gen Pop sample, the data is accurate to within +2.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.
