Survey shows how financial pressure shapes US relationships, families, and major life decisions

Survey shows how financial pressure shapes US relationships, families, and major life decisions

The TD 2026 Love & Money Survey shows that financial pressure is affecting far more than household budgets. Americans say money is influencing how they communicate with partners, when they pursue major life milestones, how often they rely on family support and how confident they feel about their financial future.

Despite these pressures, TD reports, Americans remain focused on strengthening their financial futures through greater savings, reduced debt and improved financial planning.

1. Money is still one of America's biggest relationship stressors

Money continues to create tension in Americans’ relationships and personal lives. While nearly half of respondents reported being completely transparent about their finances, many avoid or hide financial decisions.

• Fifty-nine percent have felt scared or embarrassed discussing finances with a partner.
• Forty-two percent say financial disagreements create stress often or very often.
• Forty-six percent say someone's debt or financial habits would influence whether they pursued a serious relationship.
• Thirty percent have hidden a financial decision from someone close to them.

2. Financial pressure is delaying American dreams

Money doesn't just affect relationships. For many Americans, it is shaping when they feel ready to pursue some of life's biggest goals. Three-quarters of survey respondents have postponed major life goals because of money. Persistent affordability challenges are causing Americans to put important financial and personal goals on hold. Younger generations are experiencing the broadest range of delays, from moving out of a parent's home and buying their own home to getting married or starting a family. Top delays include:

• Paying off debt (23%)
• Travel (21%)
• Buying a car (17%)
• Buying a home (17%)
• Saving for retirement (15%)

3. The rise of family financial support

As Americans delay major life milestones and navigate ongoing affordability challenges, families are increasingly stepping in to help. Financial support does not end when children become adults. Americans are both receiving and providing assistance across generations, helping cover everyday expenses, emergencies and major milestones, ranging from housing to transportation.

• Sixty-seven percent have received financial assistance.
• Seventy-one percent have provided financial assistance.
• Average support received exceeds $12,000.

4. The pressure to keep up is extending beyond finances

Financial pressure doesn't just affect spending decisions. It can also influence how people compare themselves to others and how successful they feel they need to appear. More than two-thirds of the survey respondents feel pressure to be perceived as wealthier than they are.

• Sixty-eight percent feel pressure in their personal lives.
• Fifty-three percent feel pressure on social media.

5. Americans want financial confidence more than financial perfection

Despite these pressures, Americans remain focused on building a stronger financial future. While many respondents report feeling stretched by the cost of living, they are actively looking for ways to increase their financial confidence through higher income, greater savings, reduced debt and stronger financial knowledge.

When asked what would most improve their financial confidence, survey respondents pointed to higher income, more savings, and financial education.

• Fifty-six percent say higher income, more savings or less debt would improve confidence.
• Higher income is the No. 1 answer overall.
• Financial education ranks especially high among Gen Z.

Survey Methodology

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 respondents, including 250 in the major metro areas of New York City, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C., and 500 general population respondents. The survey was commissioned by TD and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between June 29 and July 13, 2026.

This random double-opt-in survey was conducted by market research company Talker Research, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).

This article is for informational purposes only and is based on information available as of August 2026 and is subject to change.

This story was produced by TD and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.