Economic Uncertainty Causes Financial Stress, Moves People To Take Action

Forty-six percent (46%) of middle-income Americans expect to be worse off financially in the next year, up from 27% in December 2024, according to financial services company Primerica’s Q1Financial Security Monitor. Sixty two percent report stress over finances, up from 57% during the fourth quarter of 2024.

Only 18% believe their situation will improve in the next year, compared with 26% of respondents in the previous survey. Inflation continues to be the top concern of middle-income Americans, found the Primerica poll of 1,240 adults nationwide with incomes between $30,000 and $130,000.

Resilience Adjustments

“Middle-income Americans continue to face significant financial stress, and they are not anticipating relief in the near future,” said Glenn Williams, CEO of Primerica, in a statement. “This makes having a clear financial game plan even more essential to helping families navigate whatever the future brings. Prioritization is key—understanding where to focus, what to adjust and how to stay on track amid economic uncertainty.”

To cope, respondents to the Primerica survey say that families are cutting back. Nearly 4 in 5 (78%) are limiting non-essential spending—the highest in two years. Sixty-four percent are saving for emergencies, up from 59% last year, and 52% are considering getting, or already have, a second job.

Planning for the Future

Americans are determined to take control of their financial lives, yet most feel unprepared and only half trust themselves to get it right, according to a new survey from debt solution company, Beyond Finance.

The study of 2,000 U.S. adults revealed that only 13% feel very good about their current financial situation, despite overwhelming agreement that long-term financial well-being is more critical than ever. Eighty four percent say setting themselves up for financial success is more important now in times of economic uncertainty.

More than half of respondents said they feel the same or more disillusioned with financial institutions than they did a year ago. That distrust appears to be becoming a catalyst for personal empowerment.

Generational Outlooks Diverge

The survey shows clear generational differences in optimism and financial planning. Gen Z is the most optimistic (59%) but also the most short-term focused (27%). Baby Boomers are more balanced, with 64% considering both short- and long-term goals. Millennials and Gen X are in the middle, driven by ambition but challenged by economic uncertainty, Beyond Finance found.

Even as Americans are largely managing their own finances—74% of the Beyond Finance respondents say they handle it themselves—emotional drivers like anxiety, lack of knowledge, and past missteps continue to erode financial confidence.

Despite these setbacks, survey results indicate that Americans are actively working to build their financial confidence in practical, repeatable ways this year. Most Americans (69%) say they are currently or planning to track their spending. Other responses included plans to: use budgeting apps (28%), listen to financial podcasts (23%) or talk more openly with family to break the money taboo (22%).

“There’s a growing movement around financial self-empowerment,” said Lou Antonelli, chief operating officer of Beyond Finance, in a statement. “We’re seeing people move from avoidance to action. It’s not just about fixing your finances — it’s about feeling capable and in control.”