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]

Younger adults are more likely to make New Year’s resolutions, according to the Pew Research Center, but that doesn’t mean retirees should sit them out. Retirement is one of the best times to revisit long-term money habits, reset priorities and create a plan that supports the retirement lifestyle you want. To help, here are top financial New Year’s resolutions money experts say actually work for retirees. Check Out: I’m a Financial Advisor: My Wealthiest Clients All Do These 3 Things See Next: 6 Safe Accou ...

Core Insights - The average total debt balance among U.S. consumers remained largely unchanged in 2025, with an average balance of $104,755, slightly down from $105,580 in June 2024 [1][2] - There has been an increase in average balances for common types of consumer debt, including auto loans, credit cards, and mortgages, indicating persistent debt levels among consumers [1][2] Debt Breakdown - Auto loans in 2025 averaged $24,596, up from $24,187 in 2024 [6] - Credit card debt in 2025 averaged $6,735, slightly up from $6,699 in 2024 [6] - Mortgage debt in 2025 averaged $258,214, an increase from $250,479 in 2024 [6] Financial Management Recommendations - Financial experts suggest creating a monthly budget and controlling non-essential spending as fundamental steps to manage debt [4] - Listing all balances and interest rates in one place can help consumers understand their financial situation better [4] - Using credit wisely and aiming to pay off credit card balances monthly is recommended to maintain financial health [4][5] - For those with significant debt, consolidating at lower rates or using home equity for consolidation may improve cash flow and reduce overall debt [5]

Consumer Behavior - Consumers are adapting to budget constraints by opting for smaller, more frequent purchases [1] - Consumers are reducing spending on non-essential discretionary items [1]

CocoSan / Getty Images There are several strategies you can use to recession-proof your finances, from budgeting to diversifying your portfolio. Key Takeaways Stay in control of your finances by creating a budget and adjusting it as needed. Build a healthy emergency fund, which is crucial to avoiding high-interest debt in the event of an unexpected expense. Diversify your investments across stocks, bonds, and other assets to mitigate risk in the event of an economic downturn. Develop multiple incom ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of financial management strategies proposed by Dave Ramsey, particularly focusing on debt elimination and the establishment of an emergency fund [1][4][18] Debt Management - Ramsey advocates for paying off all debts except for the mortgage, suggesting that once debt-free, individuals should avoid borrowing again [1][6] - The article highlights the negative impact of debt on financial flexibility and the necessity of making sacrifices to pay it off [6][8] - There is a disagreement regarding the early payoff of low-interest mortgage debt, which Ramsey suggests, as it may not be financially beneficial [5][7] Emergency Fund - Establishing an emergency fund is prioritized, with Ramsey recommending a starter fund of $1,000 and a full fund of three to six months of living expenses once debt-free [4][3] - The emergency fund serves as a financial safety net, preventing individuals from falling back into debt during unforeseen circumstances [2][3] Budgeting - Ramsey promotes living on a budget, specifically a $0-based budget where every dollar is allocated to spending or saving [14][17] - The article acknowledges that while the $0-based budget may not suit everyone, the importance of conscious spending and budgeting is crucial for financial success [15][17] Car Financing - Leasing cars is discouraged, with the article agreeing that it is an expensive way to acquire a vehicle [9][10] - The recommendation is to purchase affordable used cars and save for future purchases rather than taking on new debt [11][12]

Though they say that money cannot buy happiness, the least it can do is let you know how many things you shouldn’t buy while miserable. The switch from currency that jingles and folds to bits of data that float around in the ether makes it more difficult to conceptualize just how much is leaving your pocket each day, week or month. For You: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 Be Aware: Warren Buffett: 10 Things Poor People Waste Money On Tracking your spending patterns and expenses is a g ...

Personal Finance Transformation - The report highlights Rita-Soledad Fernandez Paulino's strategy to eliminate $23,000 of debt while on disability income and raising two children [1] - Her approach involves zero-based budgeting and mindset shifts to achieve financial stability and investment opportunities [1] - The transformation empowered her to rewrite her financial future [1] Yahoo Finance Platform - Yahoo Finance offers free stock ticker data, up-to-date news, portfolio management resources, and comprehensive market data [1] - The platform provides advanced tools and information for managing personal finances [1] - Yahoo Finance is accessible through its website and mobile apps on Apple and Android [1] - Yahoo Finance maintains a presence on social media platforms including X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn [1]

A well-crafted budget is a personalized roadmap that ensures every dollar is used to fuel your most important goals. Here are five budgeting actions that can help improve your financial management and lead to financial freedom. https://t.co/h0PFtq4MOD ...

Holiday Spending Trends - AAA estimates nearly 82 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles away from home over the Thanksgiving week [4] - The average consumer is looking at just over $700 for their holiday expenses [18] - The National Retail Federation forecasts US holiday sales will surpass $1 trillion for the first time ever this year [29] - KPMG estimates consumer holiday shopping will rise 46% this year compared to a year ago, or that's about $847 per shopper [34] Credit Card Strategies - Opening a travel rewards credit card can help save on holiday trips due to extra spending [2][5] - Consumers should look for points and miles cards for travel or cashback cards for everyday expenses [11] - Travel cards offer benefits like trip delay, cancellation insurance, and rental car insurance [13][14] Saving and Budgeting Tips - Consumers are advised to start holiday expense planning early to get budgets in order and comparison shop [19][20] - Consider a seasonal side gig to pad the budget and avoid relying on credit cards [23][24] - Whittling down the gift recipient list or doing a gift exchange can save money [25][26] - Consumers should check credit card rewards for unused points to offset holiday costs [27] Impact of Tariffs and Inflation - Tariffs have disrupted supply chains and led to higher prices for some products, especially electronics [29][30] - There is still a 50% tariff on most Indian goods [31] - Tariffs can drive prices sharply higher: over 30% for smartphones, 34% for laptops and tablets, and 69% for video game consoles [31] Retail Strategies and AI - Retailers are giving consumers more options and availability to shop early [36] - 41% of consumers are already using AI for research, searching products, and comparison shopping [42] - AI can be a personal shopping agent to narrow down shopping results and find the best prices [45][46] Labor Market - Retailers are hiring fewer seasonal workers this year compared to 2024 [48] - Searches for seasonal holiday work were up 27% at the end of September compared to a year earlier [54]