I’m 49 and tired of living paycheck to paycheck. How to break the cycle of financial struggle before it’s too late

Group 1 - More than 57% of American adults are living paycheck to paycheck as of 2025, exacerbated by persistent inflation [1] - A significant 37% of U.S. adults lack the cash reserves to cover an unplanned $400 expense, indicating a concerning trend in savings [5] Group 2 - Budgeting is essential for tracking monthly expenses and identifying areas to cut costs, with 40% of Americans having never created a budget and 59% not tracking their spending [3] - Utilizing budgeting apps or traditional methods like paper or spreadsheets can help individuals commit to managing their finances effectively [4]