8 in 10 Americans changing spending habits over recession fears: survey

The existent system is changing how Americans negociate their money, according to caller research.

A caller study of 2,000 wide organization Americans revealed that 8 successful 10 (77%) person changed nan measurement they negociate their finances arsenic a consequence of ongoing economical conditions.

With nan mostly (86%) emotion that nan system remains uncertain — and six successful 10 (58%) believing a recession is inevitable — group are doubling down connected predictability, stableness and semipermanent power erstwhile it comes to their spending.

Commissioned by Affirm and conducted by Talker Research, results recovered that half (50%) want to support rate disposable for unexpected expenses aliases financial uncertainty, 2 successful 5 (41%) want to negociate their fund with fixed, predictable payments, and complete a 3rd (36%) are reasoning much semipermanent than ever astir their finances. 

A caller study of 2,000 wide organization Americans revealed that 8 successful 10 (77%) person changed nan measurement they negociate their finances arsenic a consequence of ongoing economical conditions. Farknot Architect – stock.adobe.com

This is unsurprising, fixed nan mean responsive predicts today’s financial uncertainty will past for 10 much months.

In consequence to these challenges, 2 successful 5 (39%) are prioritizing strategies for illustration avoiding in installments paper liking aliases fees. Americans are besides taking progressive steps to fortify their financial know-how.

More than 1 successful 4 (28%) are improving their financial literacy, astir 1 successful 4 (23%) are exploring really to make different costs options activity for them and astir 1 successful 5 (19%) are seeking much worth from their financial providers to enactment up successful today’s climate.

Additionally, astir respondents (83%) are focused connected what they tin power pinch their finances.

“Control intends prioritizing predictability,” said Vishal Kapoor, Affirm’s SVP of Product. “That’s why astir half of consumers (49%) named ‘no astonishment fees’ arsenic their apical privilege erstwhile making purchases this year. Affirm is built to support this request — pinch transparent position and nary precocious aliases hidden fees, we thief group walk smarter and scheme pinch confidence.”

With nan mostly (86%) emotion that nan system remains uncertain — and six successful 10 (58%) believing a recession is inevitable. Andrii Lysenko – stock.adobe.com

In summation to “no astonishment fees,” conscionable complete 2 successful 5 respondents (41%) pointed to interest-free offers, and astir 1 successful 3 (35%) weighted nan expertise to dispersed payments retired complete clip — further underscoring their semipermanent mindset.

Over a 4th (27%) highlighted nan request for clear timelines for erstwhile payments are due, while 2 successful 5 (41%) emphasized a request to negociate their fund pinch fixed, predictable payments.

All of these priorities necktie backmost to what respondents find important erstwhile managing their money successful nan existent economical ambiance — control, predictability and full clarity erstwhile managing their money.

“Consumers intelligibly want much from their financial tools. They want costs solutions that thief them negociate their budgets, debar surprises and enactment financially resilient,” Kapoor added. “That’s precisely what we were built for. From options for illustration 0% APR offers to predictable monthly payments, we’re giving group greater elasticity and bid of mind arsenic they scheme for nan future.” 

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 wide organization Americans; nan study was commissioned by Affirm and administered and conducted online by Talker Research betwixt March 21–25, 2025.