Fielded among 3,000 U.S. consumers, the study reveals sharp generational divides in how Americans experience financial pressure

WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Best Egg, a leading fintech that provides flexible solutions to help people with limited savings, today released its inaugural Financial Confidence Report. The nationwide study examines the widening gap between financial literacy and financial security in America, exploring how consumers’ knowledge, access to financial resources and confidence can shape their ability to navigate an increasingly complex economic landscape.

From credit and debt to borrowing and financial advice, this study analyzed consumer perspectives across multiple topics and the contrast between generations. Research was conducted through Ask Your Target Market (AYTM), a trusted third-party consumer research panel, drawing on responses from 3,000 American consumers.

The findings reveal a pattern Best Egg sees reflected daily in its own customer base: more than six in ten Americans report living paycheck to paycheck, and while most understand the fundamentals of personal finance, a persistent confidence gap is preventing that knowledge from translating into real financial security. That divide is compounded by generational differences in economic experience and mounting financial pressure.  

Key Highlights:

• 76% say they understand the factors that affect their credit score.
• 43% say they feel financially secure compared to their peers.
• 64% feel confident distinguishing good from bad financial advice.
• 27% have worked with a financial coach.
• Gen X and Baby Boomers feel more in control of their finances day-to-day (67% on average) vs. Millennials and Gen Z (55% on average).
• 75% of Americans say rising costs make it harder to save.
• 65% of Gen Z and Millennials expect their financial situation to improve in the next year, compared to 50% of Gen X and Baby Boomers.

“Behind every statistic in this report is a person lying awake wondering if they’re making the right calls with their money and that’s an uncomfortable place to be,” said Paul Ricci, Chief Executive Officer of Best Egg. “Understanding the fundamentals does not always make taking the next step easier. Best Egg exists to give people practical tools and support that help them put their knowledge into action and move forward with confidence. Our goal is not simply to study the challenges consumers face, but to use what we learn to help solve them.”

“What people know about money and how they feel about their own finances are not always the same,” said Julian Makowski, Director of Consumer Insights at Best Egg. “Most consumers understand the factors affecting their credit, and many feel confident identifying sound financial advice. Yet fewer than half feel financially secure compared with their peers. That disconnect shows that financial well-being cannot be measured by knowledge alone. It must also account for whether people feel secure and in control of their financial lives.”

The Financial Confidence Report is the first step in an ongoing effort around research, education, dialogue, and action, rather than a one-time study. This National Financial Planning Month, explore the complete findings and take the first step toward closing your own confidence gap. The full Financial Confidence Report is available at https://www.bestegg.com/best-egg-financial-confidence-report/.

The findings are representative of the U.S. adult population based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates for adults ages 18 and older. The survey also places particular emphasis on capturing the experiences of underbanked and financially underserved populations, groups that are often underrepresented in research on financial well-being.

About Best Egg 

Best Egg is a leading fintech that drives financial confidence, providing flexible solutions to help people with limited savings adapt to their changing needs. Best Egg supports customers through a growing suite of personal loans and financial health tools. Leveraging real-time customer insights and data engineering, Best Egg gives more people access to the resources they need to be money confident. For more information, visit www.bestegg.com.  

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SOURCE Best Egg