Americans’ financial optimism edges higher, but worries remain

Americans feel slightly better about their financial situation heading into the next 12 months than they did one year ago, and fewer postponed a spending decision over the past year for financial reasons.

Still, less than half of respondents in a recent survey on behalf of the AICPA expressed positivity about their financial situation and their ability to spend, providing an important reminder about the value of money management during National Financial Literacy Month in April and beyond.

“When it comes to your money, you don’t need to be perfect, you need to be consistent,” Cary Sinnett, senior manager–Personal Financial Planning at the AICPA, said in a news release. “Understand where your money is going, set attainable goals, and use tools that you personally find helpful to get you on track to a positive financial future.”

The Harris Poll of 2,091 American adults, conducted in March, found that 36% feel much or somewhat better about their financial situation for the next 12 months compared with the previous 12 months, up from 33% in last year’s survey. Thirty-seven percent felt neither better nor worse (the same as 2025), while 27% felt much or somewhat worse (down 3 percentage points from 2025).

More than half (55%) said they had delayed at least one purchase or plan in the past year for financial reasons, down from 61% a year ago. The youngest Americans delayed purchases most often: 70% in the 18–34 age group said they had, compared with 66% of the 35–44 age group; 60% of the 45–54 age group; 48% of the 55–64 age group; and 32% aged 65 and older.

“The optimism seen in financial outlook for 2026 is encouraging; however, the reality of rising prices highlights the need for Americans, in particular those age 18–34, to prioritize their financial well-being,” Sinnett said. “Consumers can utilize Financial Literacy Month as a starting point to take charge of their finances.”

Fifty-nine percent of respondents attributed delayed spending to the higher cost of goods and services, similar to a year ago (61%). One-third of respondents said they had postponed a vacation, and 16% reported delaying a home purchase.

The AICPA offered four tips from CPAs for National Financial Literacy Month.

Get yourself unstuck, shift from ‘budgeting’ to ‘awareness and control’

Budgeting can feel restrictive, but if you reframe it as “understanding where your money is going so you can take control of it,” it’s more empowering and feels less like punishment. Often, money management struggles aren’t about not knowing what to do. They’re about feeling overwhelmed and avoiding the issue. Starting small can make a big difference.

Create a plan

Before changing anything, track every dollar that goes out for one week. Seeing the patterns is the first step toward control. List all your income sources, then outline your fixed expenses (housing, insurance, loans, child care, utilities) and your variable expenses (groceries, dining out, shopping, travel, subscriptions) using an app or paper and pencil. Track spending with no judgment for at least a month to gain a clear, honest picture of your spending patterns.

Pick one pain point

Do you notice any surprises in your lists? Is it credit card debt? Dining out? Services that automatically renew? Maybe it’s small daily or weekly purchases that eat into your take-home pay. Don’t try to fix everything at once. Identify one area — such as dining out or credit card debt — and focus your energy on it for 30 days. Your financial behavior needs to be sustainable.

Set spending to match your financial priorities

Whether your goal is to pay off debt, build savings, or create more flexibility in your life, your actions should mirror what matters most to you. Work to make financial habits feel purposeful, not restrictive. Consider automating savings transfers from your paycheck to make it as painless as possible.

Helpful articles on topics such as budgeting, debt, filing taxes, teaching kids about money, and more can be found on the AICPA’s Financial Literacy Resources webpage.

— To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Bryan Strickland at Bryan.Strickland@aicpa-cima.com.