Why Half of Employees Live Paycheck to Paycheck (and How to Break the Cycle)
Knowledge Snapshot Gallagher’s 2026 U.S. Enterprise Workforce Wellbeing: Employer and Employee Perspectives Survey found that: 51% of employees live paycheck to paycheck. 30% cannot afford a $500 emergency expense. 30% expect rising costs to delay or limit their access to healthcare. 87% want more financial wellbeing support from their employer. The survey was created by […]
The Costly Bet: Why Cutting Insurance to Save Money Can Backfire
Knowledge Snapshot: : Why Cutting Insurance to Save Money Can Backfire A TD Insurance survey, conducted using the Leger Opinion panel, found that 33% of Canadian adults would consider reducing insurance coverage to save money. 84% said they do not fully understand what their insurance does and does not cover. 62% were not confident that […]
Debt, Emergency Savings, or Retirement? How to Choose Where Your Next Dollar Goes
Knowledge Snapshot A strong default order is: cover essentials, build a starter cash buffer, capture your full employer retirement match, then attack high-interest debt. After expensive debt is under control, expand emergency savings and increase retirement contributions. The right choice depends on five factors: employer match, interest rates, emergency liquidity, tax deadlines, and your age […]
Why Rising Living Costs Are the Biggest Barrier to a Better Life (and What You Can Do)
Knowledge Snapshot The survey was created by the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility and the WK Kellogg Foundation and conducted in mid-April 2026. The Guardian reported the findings on August 6, 2026, based on responses from more than 30,000 U.S. adults across generations and economic classes. 60% of respondents said greater financial security would define […]
Your Gut Is Right: Why Most Americans Still Want a Human in the Loop for Money Decisions
Quick Answer Your instinct is reasonable. AI can be useful for organizing financial information, explaining unfamiliar terms, comparing general options, and helping you prepare questions. But major money decisions involve incomplete information, trade-offs, personal values, and consequences that may last for years. That is why the Addition Wealth survey found that 72% of Americans want […]
The Credit Card Health Check: What It Means When 6 in 10 Cardholders Are Financially Unhealthy
Knowledge Snapshot 60% of U.S. credit card customers were classified as financially unhealthy, up from 56%. 34% of U.S. consumers overall were financially healthy, steady for the second consecutive month and the highest level since November 2025. JD Power’s financial-health measure is a composite assessment, not simply a count of missed payments. The measure considers […]
Why 55% of Workers Can’t Cover a $500 Emergency Expense (and How to Build a Cushion Anyway)
Knowledge Snapshot 55% of U.S. workers surveyed said they could not cover an unexpected $500 expense from savings. 26% reported having no emergency savings at all. 41% said they skipped a necessary expense during the prior six months because they lacked enough savings. The SecureSave 2026 Financial Stress Survey included 1,028 U.S.-based workers ages 18 […]
How to Spend Money on Things That Bring You Joy Without Feeling Guilty
During one of my recent appearances on FOX 5 New York, I was asked about an interesting financial dilemma: Why do so many Americans feel guilty about spending money on things that make them happy? My answer was pretty simple. We all work hard for our money. Yes, we have bills to pay, savings goals […]
The Back-to-School Parent Trap: Why 46% of Parents Go Into Debt for School Supplies
Knowledge Snapshot The Core Issue: Back-to-school shopping frequently leads to severe household debt as parents struggle to cover supplies, clothing, and technology. Key Survey Data: According to the Beyond Finance 2026 Back-to-School Survey, 70 percent of parents consider back-to-school shopping the most financially stressful time of the year, even surpassing the winter holidays. The Social […]
How Much Emergency Fund Do You Really Need?
How much emergency fund you need is one of the most important questions in personal finance. Without a safety net, even a small unexpected expense can derail your finances.In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to calculate your emergency fund, how much is enough for different situations, and how to build it step by step. […]
Emergency Fund 2026: How Much You Really Need
Emergency fund 2026 planning is more important than ever as rising living costs and economic uncertainty continue to affect households worldwide. Without a financial safety net, even small unexpected expenses can lead to debt. In this guide, you’ll learn how much to save, how to build your fund, and what most people are actually setting […]
Emergency Fund Guide: How Much & How to Build One
An Emergency Fund is one of the most important financial tools you can build to protect yourself from unexpected expenses. Whether it’s a job loss, medical bill, or urgent repair, having savings ready can prevent debt and stress. In this guide, you’ll learn how to create an emergency fund, how much to save, and how […]
Smart Financial Goal Setting: A Practical Guide That Works
Smart financial goal setting is a proven method for turning unclear money wishes into realistic, actionable plans you can actually follow. Instead of vague goals like “save more” or “spend less,” this approach uses a structured framework to create clarity and accountability. In this guide, you’ll learn how the SMART framework works, see real examples, […]
Digital Envelope Budgeting: The Cash Stuffing Alternative for 2025
Digital envelope system is a modern budgeting method that pairs traditional cash-envelope discipline with digital tools to manage household finances. In this article you’ll learn how couples can use a digital envelope system to run money meetings that keep both partners aligned, reduce conflict, and reach shared goals. Key takeaways A digital envelope system organizes […]
Pay Yourself First: The Savings Method That Actually Builds Wealth
The pay yourself first method is a powerful savings strategy that prioritizes setting aside money for your future before spending on bills or discretionary expenses. By automating savings, this approach ensures you steadily build wealth and achieve financial goals like emergency funds, retirement, or investments. In this article, you will learn how the pay yourself […]