Most Americans ain’t anywhere close to reaching their savings goals.
A recent survey of 2,000 Americans conducted by “Talker Research” shows only 13 percent feel “very good” about their financial situation right now. Another 28 percent say they feel “somewhat good.”
The majority of Americans feel shaky, stressed, and stuck when it comes to their money!
They’re grinding hard, but still falling behind. They’re watching prices rise, bills stack up, and their savings accounts collect more dust than dollars.
People Want Better. They Just Don’t Know How.
Deep down, most folks want to win with money. They want to save more, live debt-free, build wealth, and sleep better at night.
The problem? Nobody ever handed them the blueprint. They’re stuck trying to build a financial future with broken tools—bad habits, no guidance, and fear of making the wrong move.
Despite all the shaky feelings, there’s a bright spot: 84 percent of people are waking up and realizing— “If I don’t get my money right now, I might not make it later.”
With inflation running wild, layoffs hitting hard, and prices jumping every time you blink, setting themselves up for financial success has become non-negotiable.
Folks aren’t just hoping things get better anymore—they know they gotta make moves, get educated, and lock down their bag before the next storm hits.
They’re trying to do something about it:
- 51 percent are actively trying to boost their financial knowledge.
- 59 percent have concrete plans to keep learning and growing.
When it comes to leveling up their money game, here’s how Americans plan to get smarter:
– 69 percent said they’ll start tracking every dollar: No more “I don’t know where my money went” excuses—they’re ready to monitor spending like a hawk and plug the leaks in their budget.
– 28 percent plan to regularly read financial news: They know staying informed is key—no more getting blindsided by market crashes, rate hikes, or new money moves.
– 28 percent want to start using budgeting apps: People are turning their phones into financial command centers using budgeting apps to make it easier to see where they stand at a glance.
– 23 percent are tuning into financial podcasts: Instead of mindless scrolling, folks are feeding their brains with real money knowledge— learning strategies while they drive, walk, or chill.
– 22 percent say they’ll talk more openly about money with family: Breaking the silence—because real financial healing starts at the kitchen table. Families are ready to stop hiding struggles and start building wealth together.
Folks are waking up fast. They’re realizing the hard truth: No bailout coming. No magic fix. If they want to win with money, they gotta be their own rescue team.
Here’s where it gets deep:
– 74 percent of people manage their own money, but only HALF trust themselves to do it right.
Why? Because they were never taught how to handle money in the first place! A lack of early financial education has left a lot of people feeling insecure, lost, and scared when it comes to money decisions.
One out of every five Americans grew up with ZERO financial education from their parents.
For older generations, the gap was even wider:
- 35 percent of Baby Boomers said their parents never taught them anything about money.
- 30 percent of Generation X faced the same struggle — no money talks, no money lessons.
- 25 percent of Millennials grew up flying blind financially too.
No wonder so many folks today feel lost with their finances. The cycle of financial ignorance ran deep across generations —and we’re still feeling the impact.
But here’s the good news: Gen Z is flipping the script.
Only 20 percent of Gen Z said they didn’t get financial education at home— a major improvement compared to the generations before them.
The cycle is finally starting to break—but make no mistake, we still got work to do. Financial self-empowerment is on the rise.
Even with all the financial fear in the air, 76 percent of Americans say they want to take control and empower themselves to manage money better.
18 percent of Americans say over the past year, they’ve gotten even more disillusioned with big banks and financial institutions.
People are realizing the system ain’t always built to help them win. So they’re flipping the script—moving from avoidance to action.
It’s not enough to just “budget better” or “save more.”
You gotta believe you can WIN with money!
Without that mindset shift? You stay stuck on the hamster wheel—working harder but going nowhere.
What Are Americans Actually Focusing On?
When asked what financial goals they’re chasing right now, here’s what Americans said:
- 53 percent are focused on saving more money.
- 32 percent are working to eliminate or reduce debt.
- 27 percent want to stop stressing over bills in 2025.
- 27 percent are building a “rainy day” fund.
- 26 percent are trying to boost their credit score.
Folks are tired of living check-to-check, hand-to-mouth, hoping for miracles. They want real security, real options and real financial peace.
Handling your money is both personal and emotional. It’s fear. It’s pride. It’s shame. It’s hope. It’s everything you were taught, everything you’ve been through, and everything you dream about.
Getting a grip on your money isn’t just about a spreadsheet. It’s about building emotional resilience, self-trust, and knowledge that fuels smart decision-making. You can’t win financially if you stay scared of money. You gotta get in the ring, take some hits, learn the game, and bet on YOU.
If you’re sitting around waiting on a bank, a credit union, a lottery ticket, a politician, or even your job to rescue you—you already lost.
Truth is, nobody cares about your money situation more than you do. Not your boss. Not the government. Not your favorite influencer preaching get-rich-quick dreams.
It’s on YOU to save YOU. The faster you accept that, the faster you can start building real wealth.
The good news is—you don’t have to wait on anybody. The power to change your financial story is in YOUR hands.
Track your money. Learn the rules. Set real goals. Bet on yourself.
Self-trust? That’s your foundation.
Knowledge? That’s your fuel.
Action? That’s your secret sauce.
One without the other won’t get you far.
But when you lock all three together?
You don’t just reach your savings goals—you crush ‘em, stack wins, and build a life that money stress can’t touch.
Bet on YOU. Your future depends on it.
(Damon Carr, Money Coach & Tax Pro can be reached at 412-216-1013 or visit his website at www.damonmoneycoach.com)
About Post Author
