2024-04-10 | consumers economy
... plan to use it for essential needs such as living expenses (50%) and debt repayment (29%). Only a small fraction (19%) would allocate their refund towards discretionary spending like travel or entertainment.Additionally, the survey suggests a need for guidance in balancing short-term spending with long-term savings and financial security goals, such as retirement. Despite the availability of more tax-efficient and potentially income-guaranteeing financial solutions like employer-sponsored retirement plans and annuities, 70% of respondents rely on traditional bank accounts for future savings. O...
2024-04-09 | consumers economy
... of parents with school-age children are revising travel plans due to financial concerns, half of whom are canceling trips altogether (50%).20% of parents with school-aged children contribute to a dependent care flexible spending account, which could offer tax-free savings for summer activities.THE SUBSCRIPTION ECONOMY: Younger individuals find it more difficult to keep track of subscription expenses than older age groups.71% of Americans have a rough idea of their monthly subscription costs, but only 40% know exactly what those subscriptions are. Nearly half of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers are fu...
2024-03-12 08:42:12 | retirement
... two-thirds look forward to pursuing work for pleasure while in retirement and hope for a phased retirement – working full-time at first, then part-time, before stopping altogether.“Americans are approaching their ‘golden years’ with more intention and opportunity than ever before,” said Rita Assaf, vice president of Retirement Products at Fidelity Investments. “As more people rethink retirement, with new goals such as living abroad or starting a business, it’s important to consider the potential impacts to their Social Security, Medicare and taxes. We’re encouraged to see a gro...
2024-02-01 | consumers spending
... 54%), as well as about having enough money to buy a home (57%).Couples generally have similar ideas about how they want to spend their retirement: with friends, family, traveling, and engaging in their hobbies. Nevertheless, a majority of married couples (53%) who have not yet reached retirement have divergent opinions about the amount of savings required for retirement. Moreover, even though the majority of couples plan to retire at age 63, almost half of them plan to continue working part-time after retirement. This could be due to financial need or the decision made by certain couples to fo...
2023-05-24 10:23:10 | investing
... rs rely on social media to learn about investing: Almost half of U.S. Gen Z investors (48%) use social media to learn about investing. It is the top information source for Gen Z investors in the U.S., Canada and the UK. It is the fourth most popular option for those in China, with the top information source being financial apps.Barriers to investing remain: Lack of savings is the top reason Gen Zs in the U.S., Canada and China cite for not investing, whereas the top barrier for Gen Zs in the UK is not having enough income or living paycheck to paycheck. Over half of Gen Z investors in the...
2023-01-30 | consumers economy
... ases to offset price hikes.In 2023, inflationary pressures may deter people from buying electronics and appliances. Leisure travel may also wane this year. In 2023, 35% of customers will spend money on leisure vacation, while 24% will buy pricey equipment or appliances."If the consumer assumption that their salaries will rise this year is proven accurate, it will limit the impact of the Fed to curb inflationary pressures," said Nayar. "Until the economy recovers, more Americans of all incomes will say they live paycheck to paycheck. Consumers must review spending and save for the unexpected no...
2022-09-12 | consumers economy travel
... n-average inventory and incentives in August. Stellantis' incentives in August averaged 4.4% of ATP, up from 4.1% in July, but were still historically low. Source: Kelley Blue Book...
2022-08-05 12:00:00 | retirement women
... ng personal risks in 20 years. Saving more money for later (45%) is the only regret in the top five, alongside career and personal risks like not traveling outside my comfort zone (57%), making new friends (43%), working less to spend more time with family (41%) and saying what you really think (41%). (37 percent ). Source: Alliance for Lifetime Income...
2022-05-19 12:02:00 | retirement
... ase contributions to their retirement savings. Respondents say they are cutting back on social activities like eating out (35%), nightlife (31%) and travel (28%), though some report holding off on larger expenditures like home renovations (16%) or having more children (13%). Although Americans report being committed to maintaining their retirement savings contributions, they have also adjusted their short-term financial goals to accommodate the impacts of inflation. In fact, one-in-three adults report contributing less to their emergency funds in order to pay for everyday expenses, with the...
2022-04-25 14:00:00 | demographics financial planning retirement
... you have the funds to make it happen. If you want to maintain exposure to higher risk assets like digital currencies in your retirement portfolio, think about how to balance that with more traditional investments that can provide you with a reliable source of income when you don’t have a paycheck. And finally, you prepare for retirement to enjoy it, but it’s important to have a solid income and distribution strategy so you don’t risk running out of money in retirement.” Some key considerations for Millennials as they think about and plan for retirement: Picture retirement as a ...
2022-04-23 | travel
... izable drop since a similar question was asked in spring 2022, when 35% didn’t feel safe traveling, and an even more so since summer 2021, when 42% cited pandemic safety concerns. Source: Vacasa...
2022-04-20 | inflation retirement
... lth care costs or the rising cost of child care and education, and the uncertainties deepen. Often coined a generation likely to spend their hard-earned money on travel or entertainment, millennials stood out in Voya’s research as having the most concerns about the long-term financial impact of both COVID-19 and inflation. Voya’s survey also revealed that 68% of millennials agreed or strongly agreed that, because of inflation, they are not able to pay down debt as quickly as they want to — and even more (77%) agree or strongly agree that inflation has made them more aware of the need to ...
2021-11-26 | economy retirement travel
... rters (73%) of Americans are optimistic about their finances and over one-third are “very optimistic” (35%), up from the percentage who reported being very optimistic in July (27%) and February (21%). Holiday shoppers are considering sustainability this year, with nearly three-quarters (73%) of Millennials saying they will factor sustainability into their purchasing decisions this season. Overall, more than half (54%) of the general population said sustainability factors, such as a brand’s adherence to sustainable practices or offering of eco-friendly products, will also factor into ...
2021-10-29 09:08:19 | demographics retirement
... address structural issues, bridge inequalities, ensure equal pay and benefits, and ultimately promote their retirement security," said Collinson. Source: Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies...
2021-09-09 | retirement
... dents received federal stimulus money during the pandemic; nearly half, 47%, saved the extra income, while 35% used it to pay bills and 18% paid off debt. The pandemic has led a minority of respondents to alter their retirement planning, though it has had a more immediate impact on peoples' current finances: 1 in 3 say the pandemic has convinced them they will need a bigger nest egg for retirement Among near-retirees who plan to retire within five years, more than 4 out of 10 (41%) say they have begun saving more, and nearly one-quarter (24%) are delaying their retirement date. Seventy-on...
2021-08-16 12:00:00 | recreation
... an to travel for Labor Day this year is over 10% more than the number of people that traveled for Easter and Memorial Day combined. Source: The Vacationer...
2021-08-16 09:08:19 | housing
... e home prices were so inexpensive in comparison. But we're no longer seeing as big of an influx of those folks, likely because families can finally travel again and employers are asking people to come back to the office. It will be interesting to see if migration to Sacramento rebounds if the Covid situation continues to worsen." Sacramento was still the third-most-popular migration destination in the second quarter. That's based on net inflow, a measure of how many more Redfin.com home searchers looked to move into a metro than leave. Nationally, migration did slow slightly: 31.1% of Redfi...
2021-06-22 09:08:15 | travel
... who have dealt with the struggles of remote learning over the past year are even more prepared to get away, compared to folks with no kids. Of parents with children under 18, 42% are planning to go on multiple vacations compared to 34% of people without kids. Parents with kids under 18 are also more likely than those without kids to go on a longer vacation than in previous years (32% with vs. 26% without) and spend significantly more (20% with vs. 10% without). Source: Quicken...
2021-06-02 12:00:05 | consumers economy
... that nearly one half of Americans are vaccinated, with another 17% having received their first shot. This creates more possibilities for both work and travel, as more money is pumped into the economy.” The flagship IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index has three key components. This month, all three increased. The Six-Month Economic Outlook, a measure of how consumers feel about the economy’s prospects in the next six months, rose by 4.5%, moving from 53.2 in May to 55.6 in June. The Personal Financial Outlook, a measure of how Americans feel about their own finances in the next si...
2021-06-02 12:00:03 | travel
... forecast shows the industry will continue its record-breaking streak through the rest of the year,” said RV Industry Association President and CEO Craig Kirby. “Even with other types of travel returning, the demand for RVs continues to climb as people want to get outdoors and experience the joy of an active outdoor lifestyle alongside friends and family.” The latest projection shows total 2021 RV shipments ranging between 565,848 and 586,281 units with the most likely year-end total being 576,065 units. That total would represent a 33.8% increase over the 2020 year-end total of 430,41...
2021-05-28 | consumers investing
... reported having no spare cash to spend in February, compared to just 10% in Q4 2020 and 15% in Q1 2020. The proportion of consumers spending on home improvements/decorating—which had surged earlier in the pandemic—fell −3 ppts from the prior quarter to 21%. Likewise, just 13% of consumers reported spending on out-of-home entertainment and new technology products—compared to 21% and 20%, respectively, a year ago in Q1 2020. Spending on essential goods and services—including housing, groceries, routine transportation, medical, education, and health care—totaled 55% of household...
2021-05-24 12:00:00 | travel
... family, and another 24% will visit the beach this summer. Despite the high number of Americans solely trusting their vehicles for travel this summer, many drivers have not completed routine tire and vehicle maintenance that is critical to a safe journey. Among the findings: 46% of respondents indicated they have not checked their tire pressure within the past three months; 20% said they have never personally checked their vehicle's tire tread depth or the condition of their spare tire. "Over the past year, many Americans have understandably delayed routine tire and vehicle maint...
2021-05-18 | consumers spending
... stances. When embarking on home renovation projects, traveling or other activities throughout the summer, it is crucial to budget accordingly and always be financially stable throughout the process," said Frerichs. Gen Z Takes Control of Their Finances The pandemic severely impacted Americans emotionally and mentally. It also forced many to take a detailed, realistic look at their personal finances. Notably, the survey reveals that Gen Z is stepping up and taking control of their finances, despite reporting some of the largest financial impacts from the pandemic. Nearly one in three (27...
2021-05-13 12:00:01 | travel
... that the pandemic impacted travel for 81% of people, with 83% of them saying they were unable to see family and friends as often as they’d like last year. Vacation ownership offers travelers desirable accommodations, such as separate bedrooms, dining and living spaces, as well as fully-equipped kitchens and in-suite washers and dryers in most units, making the transition back to vacationing more seamless than ever.” Additional key survey findings include: Respondents identified the following as top destinations for a family vacation in 2021: Orlando (30%), Grand Canyon (26%), New Y...
2021-05-12 12:00:05 | employment workplace
... for business moderately to extensively after the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase from 49% in the previous survey, which was conducted in 2020. Roselyn Feinsod, Principal, People Advisory Services, Ernst & Young LLC, says: "Organizational culture has historically been built based on shared in-person experiences and it is fascinating to see that the new ways of working have improved such culture in the eyes of many employees. As we look toward the longer-term and organizations continue to transform their operations, employers will need to consistently re-assess conceptions of producti...
2021-05-12 12:00:01 | advice financial planning
... ange or transition in life—like getting married, changing careers or losing a loved one. With the pandemic, we have all collectively experienced a major life event, so it’s particularly important to take the time to create a plan to help ensure your finances are on track and be ready for whatever comes next in your life. We have spent so much of the last year focusing on getting through today, but we’re now seeing an opportunity to look ahead and plan for tomorrow.” Source: Charles Schwab ...
2021-05-11 | employment workplace
... ...
2021-05-10 12:00:01 | pandemic
... ored, yet took on many new hobbies. We were isolated from in-person learning, yet still feel smarter," said Nate Skinner, senior vice president, Oracle Advertising and Customer Experience (CX). "Our lives were impacted in ways we couldn't control, and our rapidly changing consumer habits make it hard for brands to keep up. The experiences of the last year will continue to have massive implications on our consumption and buying behavior as we move forward in a post-pandemic era." Source: Oracle...
2021-05-10 12:00:00 | demographics travel spending
... ...
... and lodging) are not included. Restaurants: All full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places Full-Service: Fine Dining (high-end steakhouses, seafood, and other restaurants), Casual Dining (mid-priced casual dining establishments), Family Dining (budget-priced family oriented establishments) Limited-Service: Quick service (traditional quick-service low priced restaurants), Fast Casual (limited service restaurants that offer upscale menus) Source: MasterCard...
2021-04-26 12:00:14 | travel
... t. This really shows that people didn’t buy RVs over the past year because there weren’t any other options, they bought RVs because of the endless opportunities RVing provides to travel and to get outdoors.” This new insight into the purchase motivations of people who bought RVs in 2020 is continued good news for an industry that has been experiencing forty years of long-term growth. A recent study from Go RVing echoed this growth, reporting that 11.2 million households now own an RV, up 26% over the past 10 years and 62% over the last 20 years. Even more importantly, nearly a quarter...
2021-04-20 12:00:05 | travel
... ...
2021-04-19 12:00:05 | pandemic workplace
... epresented in desired cities, with New York City (20 percent) and Tokyo (17 percent) ranking in respondents’ top-three desired destinations. Source: Graebel Companies Inc....
... onfidence soared to record heights in the first quarter of 2021, according to The Conference Board® Global Consumer Confidence Survey, as vaccination campaigns broadened, travel restrictions loosened, and governments and central banks continued to provide economic stimulus. The survey found that overall global consumer confidence shot up from 98 in the fourth quarter of 2020 to 108 in the first quarter of 2021. That figure exceeded the reading of 106 registered in pre-pandemic 2020 Q1 (a figure above 100 is considered positive) and is the highest recorded since the survey began in 2005. Conf...
2021-04-08 14:00:00 | retail travel
... nly eight percent of respondents surveyed over 55 are comfortable traveling for business without a COVID-19 vaccine, and just 25 percent are comfortable after they're vaccinated. The study showed personal automobile continues its prominence, both during the COVID-19 pandemic period and after people receive the COVID-19 vaccine. While 10 percent of respondents surveyed plan to use a personal vehicle less often after getting the shot, 47 percent surveyed say they will use it more. The survey showed that other forms of transportation may either see a very slight increase or a net reduction in ...
2021-04-08 12:00:00 | small business
... cination timelines was tempered by reports of increasing Covid cases, following a significant jump in air travel associated with spring vacationing in the U.S. Additional highlights: Future business conditions: Respondents see further improvement ahead, with almost 58% of respondents believing that in three months, business conditions will be "better" or "much better" than now, increasing four months in a row from 42.6% in December 2020. Access to funding: Entrepreneurs' concerns abated some, with those seeing funding "harder or much harder" to obtain dropping back to 30.1% in March f...
2021-04-06 12:00:00 | pandemic affluent
... nts (81%) have taken money normally spent on entertainment, travel and dining and set it aside – namely toward savings accounts (52%) and emergency funds (25%). When life returns to “normal” after the pandemic, affluent Americans plan to spend more on grocery delivery (30%), food prep/meal-kits (27%), restaurant delivery (26%), house cleaning (25%) and laundry services (22%). The survey also found that people are opening up more about certain financial topics today than they did 20 years ago. Approximately three out of four affluent Gen X, baby boomer and senior respondents hav...
2021-04-05 12:00:20 | consumers
... om one year ago, with 37 percent currently worried. Also, anxiety about the economy fell from 66 percent to 58 percent. Moreover, consumers plan to increase spending in areas such as travel (by 14%) and entertainment (by 8%). Consumers continue to be financially diligent Half of consumers surveyed will use the recent stimulus payment to pay down current monthly bills, while 44 percent will put the money into savings. Nearly 2 out of 3 survey respondents say they will find new ways to save money in the coming months, and 36 percent will work to improve or maintain their credit score. S...
2021-03-31 15:00:01 | pandemic workplace
... rs said they took more paid time off this year, mostly for sick days for physical and mental health, while only 8 percent of boomers said the same, citing travel restrictions and too much work as top reasons for not doing so. “Employers and managers have a critical role to play in supporting employee well-being,” said Katz. “Providing flexibility, addressing workload concerns, and promoting taking time off can make a difference for employees’ overall health.” Benefits should address varied needs, improve employee resilience Offering benefits that work together to complement ...
2021-03-30 15:00:18 | pandemic recreation
... rage for the 2021 camping season. 24% of respondents are seeing advanced bookings up over 80% for the same period. "The outdoors and camping provide a safer alternative to other forms of travel and vacations," stated Mark Koep, Founder and CEO of CampgroundViews.com. "We expect 2021 to be the year of camping with record numbers of Americans camping in tents, RVs and glamping accommodations." RV park and campground owners expect a surge in new campers in their parks and are already adapting to provide for this audience. "We are sold out every weekend through the middle of July," stated Ma...
2021-03-21 | pandemic
... ying in a hotel. However, globally, surveyed consumers' net expectations are to fly and stay in hotels less post-pandemic than they did pre-pandemic. Eating habits: Globally, 55% of consumers surveyed plan to continue cooking more at home than pre-pandemic (only 5% say less); 38% of respondents plan on ordering more take-out or delivery than pre-COVID (25% say they will do it less), rather than eat in-person at a restaurant (15% plan to do this more than pre-pandemic, but about 40% of respondents plan to eat at restaurants less frequently). Work: Worldwide, consumers also plan on continu...
2021-02-03 | employment vacation
... t time in 2020. The study found that the U.S. reported the fewest number of vacation days taken in 2020 out of the 16 countries surveyed. Considering the impact of the pandemic on travel, feelings of vacation deprivation were unsurprisingly higher than in years' past, with 64 percent of U.S. respondents reporting they felt vacation deprived, a three percent increase from 2020 and 11 percent increase compared to five years ago. The study also found: Fewest Days Received, Most Days Left on the Table: Not only did U.S. employees take the fewest vacation days (8) in 2020, along with Thaila...
2021-02-02 13:00:00 | pandemic retirement
... nding habits to offset the impact of the pandemic, with 58% reducing spend on nonessential items, 43% cancelling travel plans and 36% delaying larger purchases. Unless you're a millennial, that is. Twenty-five percent of millennial couples surveyed admit to engaging in excessive or frivolous spending behavior over the course of the year, further contributing to their financial setbacks. "Aligning on a set of goals—especially around sensitive subjects like money— can be challenging when people have differing priorities and perceptions, but the pandemic has made many of these conversation...
2021-02-01 12:29:10 | economy
... res— collectively referred to here as social distancing—to limit in-person interactions that could spread the virus. The impact was focused on particular sectors of the economy, such as travel and hospitality, and job losses were concentrated among lower-wage workers. Over the course of the coming year, vaccination is expected to greatly reduce the number of new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. As a result, the extent of social distancing is expected to decline. In its new economic forecast, which covers the period from 2021 to 2031, the Congressional Budget Off...
2021-01-13 15:00:00 | pandemic spending
... extra on at least one thing even after the pandemic, primarily grocery delivery and first-class travel. However, there are some things consumers won't go back to even after a vaccine is widely available, especially dining out and going to the movies. That split is the pandemic's economic impact in microcosm. Many Americans are thriving financially, having benefited from staying at home, reducing their spending and paying down debts while maintaining their jobs and their incomes. Millions of others, however, have been devastated financially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and are strugg...
2021-01-11 18:00:00 | pandemic spending
... f respondents said they are spending less and saving more since the pandemic began, and among those who say they are doing so, 71% are spending less money on discretionary items—including travel, dining, and entertainment—which could be out of choice or necessity. Among those spending less, 14% say they are borrowing money from family or friends to help. There are a wide range of factors that influence how Americans' are finding their financial resiliency, with the top response being a good night's sleep. The top three responses for feeling more financially resilient during the pandemic...
News and insights about consumer and demographic financial trends
Economic Uncertainty and Inflation Impact Retirement Prospects for Americans
AARP Survey Reveals Alarming Retirement Savings Trends
Hispanic Consumers More Optimistic About Finances
Homeowners Facing Increasing Insurance Rates
U.S. Foreclosures Increase In First Quarter
Consumers Perceive Less Buying Power Despite Lower Inflation
Consumer Price Index - March 2024
Americans Fear Running Out of Money More Than Death, New Study Finds
Consumers and Small Businesses Still Grapple with Persistent Check Fraud
Financial Education Gap Leaves Middle-Income Americans Seeking More