As autumn progresses and the holiday season approaches, many Americans face seasonal financial strain. However, for nearly a quarter of the population, financial anxiety is a year-round reality. According to a new NerdWallet survey, 23% of Americans report thinking about their financial regrets at least once a week.
The survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll, polled over 2,000 Americans to understand their perspectives on major financial decisions, past regrets, and the primary sources of stress in their financial lives.
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Buyer’s remorse is a common consumer experience. The survey reveals that 60% of Americans have made an expensive purchase they later regretted. The top areas of spending regret include luxury items (20%), gambling (19%), and vehicle purchases (18%). Expensive acquisitions, particularly those financed with debt, can cast a long shadow over a person’s financial well-being for years.
Furthermore, among those who have experienced spending regrets, 60% have multiple regrets. This indicates that a single instance of buyer’s remorse does not necessarily prevent future financial missteps.
People feel (mostly) good about long-term money decisions
Americans generally feel positive about major long-term financial milestones. When evaluating decisions such as buying a home, purchasing a car, taking on student loans, starting a family, or launching a business, the majority express satisfaction. Specifically, 74% of homeowners are glad they bought their current home, and 76% of those who started a family feel positive about the decision.
However, the most common source of regret among these major milestones is financing education. About 21% of Americans with student loan debt regret the decision entirely, while 28% hold mixed feelings about it.
41% of Americans wish they had started investing earlier
Regret often stems from inaction or delayed action. The survey shows that 41% of Americans wish they had started investing sooner, and nearly a third (31%) feel they should have managed their money better by this stage in life. Additionally, 16% of Americans still find themselves contemplating the poor financial decisions made by their parents.
“Financial habits, both positive and negative, are often passed down through generations,” Palmer explains. “To break the cycle of financial stress or anxiety, seeking guidance from a financial therapist can help individuals understand the root causes and chart a new path.”
This anxiety extends to financial statements themselves. Checking bank balances causes anxiety for 30% of Americans, while 26% feel stressed about debt balances, and 19% experience anxiety when reviewing retirement account balances.
Specter of debt: 46% of Americans regularly stress about owing
Debt looms large for many Americans, with 46% regularly citing outstanding balances as a major source of stress. Other significant financial pressures include everyday necessities and discretionary spending: 32% stress about paying for groceries, 32% worry about not having enough money for leisure activities, and 28% struggle to keep up with monthly bill payments.
Additionally, providing financial support to loved ones is a common burden. Twenty-one percent of Americans regularly stress about helping family members financially, while 12% feel the same pressure when supporting aging parents.
4 ways to ghost future financial regrets
Implement a waiting period for major purchases. It is wise to research expensive items before buying, but adding a time buffer between wanting an item and purchasing it can prevent impulse decisions. This applies to major life events like weddings or car purchases, as well as spontaneous luxury goods or vacations. Be wary of spending opportunities designed with built-in urgency, such as gambling or limited-time offers, as time pressure often leads to financial regret.
Begin building wealth immediately. While delaying large purchases is prudent, do not postpone investing. Since 41% of Americans regret not starting to invest earlier, taking action today is crucial. Low-cost index funds offer an affordable and straightforward way to build a diversified portfolio that generates long-term wealth. As Palmer notes, starting sooner allows more time for money to grow, but starting at any age is beneficial due to the power of compounding.
Confront your financial realities directly. Avoiding financial statements can seem easier in the short term, but it can lead to costly mistakes like late fees or missed investment opportunities. Set aside time in the coming week to review your account and debt balances, and construct a financial plan aimed at your long-term objectives.
Focus on future actions rather than past decisions. While many borrowers regret taking on student loan debt, focusing on what lies ahead is far more impactful than dwelling on past decisions. Use your past financial regrets as a roadmap to guide better future choices, ensuring you feel confident about your upcoming financial decisions.
“Financial regrets are real — and they’re worth paying attention to,” Palmer adds. “Use your past regrets to guide better choices in the future so you feel good about your money decisions.”
Cite as NerdWallet (2026). “Haunted by Financial Regrets: What Americans Wish They Had Done Differently” Retrieved from https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/studies/2026-financial-regrets-study
The 2026 Financial Regrets survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of NerdWallet from Aug. 4-6, 2026, among 2,086 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.7 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact [email protected].
About the author
Erin El Issa is a data-driven personal finance writer and researcher who specializes in demystifying complex financial data to help consumers make informed decisions. With a background as a tax accountant and freelance writer, she joined NerdWallet in 2014. Her work has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, CNBC, The Guardian, Forbes, and the “Today” show. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Erin enjoys reading, crocheting, and keeping up with her two children in her spare time.