Discovering Financial Wellness the Savvy Way
Americans love spending money, but lately, that money is increasingly spent on short-term vacations and concerts. Experiential spending in moderation is a great way to improve mental health and make long-lasting memories. However, spending all this “fun money” is perilous for many Americans’ financial wellness. Did you know that almost 40% of Americans don’t have the savings they’d need to cover a $400 emergency? Most Americans (62%) report living paycheck to paycheck. Here’s your guide to Unlocking Financial Wellness: How to Succeed the Savvy Way.
It’s time for Americans to invest in their financial futures and focus on financial wellness with a tool like SavvyMoney. By leveraging innovative technology to create a seamless and personalized digital banking experience, SavvyMoney empowers individuals, particularly those seeking financial wellness, to achieve their financial goals with confidence and ease.
What’s up with American spending?
As young adults, Boomers and Gen X were more likely to put their money toward long-term investments like a house, retirement fund, or education rather than spend it now on short-term expenses. So, what’s changed? Several factors are contributing to people’s beliefs that they need to spend their money now:
- FOMO (fear of missing out) from the effects of Covid. Covid hit many people hard. Weddings were postponed, funerals were missed, vacations were canceled, and people don’t want to miss out on anything else now that the coast is clear. Rather than saving funds for the nebulous future, many Americans are taking advantage of the time and money they have right now to buy the boat or go on that extravagant vacation.
- Potential homebuyer defeatism. Between high interest rates and ever-rising home prices, many Americans in their 20s and 30s have resigned themselves to the thought that they’ll never be able to afford a home. Nearly three out of four (72%) renters see homeownership as an unattainable goal. Since they see saving for a house as out of the question, many are more inclined to spend money on things they would otherwise de-prioritize.
- Climate change consequences. Because of the effects of climate change, including devastating hurricanes and blazing wildfires, many people fear their dream vacation destination may be subject to extreme weather in the near future. Because of this worry, many people are going on their dream vacations now rather than hedging their bets for the future, even if that means going over budget.
The repercussions of this splurgy of spending could affect not just individual consumers but the U.S. economy. The economic reality for many Americans spending money this way is debt. Much of this type of discretionary spending gets put on credit cards, and if credit card holders don’t pay off their balance at the end of the month, that debt can rack up quickly. Many Americans, especially younger members of Gen Z, don’t understand the fundamentals of borrowing — for example, how interest works or the implications of leaving a balance on their credit cards.
Beyond accruing debt, many Americans also lack savings, especially for retirement. Going on vacation and seeing live music is fun now, but the long-term consequences of not saving for retirement will haunt those who spend now instead of saving for later. More and more people with retirement accounts are also taking an ill-advised draw ahead of time. Withdrawing from a retirement account before you’re 59 ½ years old comes with hefty fines and tax penalties. Ultimately, these consequences place early borrowers even further behind their savings goals.
The answer is education
Racking up credit card debt and pulling from retirement funds before it’s time are symptoms of a bigger problem: lackluster financial education. No one wants to be 60 with no savings and a mountain of credit card debt, but that’s the unfortunate trajectory of many Americans. If people don’t know about interest and tax penalties, they won’t pay attention to them until it’s too late.
But it’s never too late to start learning more about financial health. Users can improve their financial well-being with tools like SavvyMoney’s Financial Checkup. This credit score solution feature gives detailed spending and cash flow overviews so users can analyze their budgets and determine debt-to-income ratios. This feature gives users a Financial Health Network Score and offers personalized recommendations to optimize expenses and manage debt. With this information, users can get a handle on their finances and nurture their financial wellness.
And there is an appetite for this kind of education. Last year, 57% of Americans sought out financial advice. However, only 22% looked toward their banks or other financial institutions (FIs) for this advice, so there is plenty of room for FIs to step up and provide the information most Americans seek. This is the perfect opportunity for banks to take on the mantle of trusted financial guides that can illuminate Americans’ financial paths forward. Now you have the insight and knowledge to finally Unlock Financial Wellness: How to Succeed the Savvy Way
