3 in 10 Americans Say a Raise Would Reduce Their Money Stress—But Better Decision-Making May Matter More

Close to a third of Americans believe earning more would reduce their financial stress the most, but spending habits may play a bigger role.

3 in 10 Americans Say a Raise Would Reduce Their Money Stress—But Better Decision-Making May Matter More. Close to a third of Americans believe earning more would reduce their financial stress the most, but spending habits may play a bigger role. Overspending on nonessentials is the top financial regret, with 29% of survey respondents citing it as their biggest mistake. Rushed, unplanned decisions account for 28% of financial mistakes, highlighting the importance of slowing down and planning purchases. More than 8 in 10 Americans report at least one financial regret from 2025, according to a survey. The most common cause wasn't an emergency or a shortfall. Nearly 3 in 10 said their biggest mistake came from deciding too quickly, without enough planning. Nearly a third of Americans (31%) say earning more would make the biggest difference i...