Over Half of Americans Forced to Make Tough Financial Tradeoffs

New survey reveals consumers are resorting to risky measures to manage debt and rising costs

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A new survey by Achieve, a leader in digital personal finance, found that over half of American consumers (51%) had to take one or more risky financial actions in the last three months of 2025 because they couldn't pay their existing debt obligations. These actions included reducing spending on basic needs, increasing credit card debt, and withdrawing from emergency savings.

Why it matters

The findings highlight the growing financial strain on many American households due to high levels of debt and the rising cost of living. The survey reveals a 'K-shaped' economy, where affluent consumers are largely unaffected, while the majority struggle to make ends meet and are forced to make difficult tradeoffs that put their financial, physical, and mental health at risk.

The details

Among consumers who took at least one action, 50% said they reduced spending on basic needs, 34% increased credit card debt, and 26% pulled funds from emergency or short-term savings. In more severe cases, 20% missed at least one debt payment, 20% delayed or didn't receive medical treatment, and 9% skipped or reduced prescribed medication doses.

  • The survey was conducted in January 2026 and covered the last three months of 2025.

The players

Achieve

A leader in digital personal finance and the organization that conducted the survey.

Andrew Housser

Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Achieve.

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What they’re saying

“This is what the K-shaped economy looks like in the real world. There's an affluent half of the population whose financial lives aren't disrupted by momentary inconveniences. But for everyone else, financial triage and tradeoffs are a way of life.”

— Andrew Housser, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Achieve (lifehealth.com)

“Many consumers' belt-tightening efforts have reached the last notch. That makes staying current on debts much harder when prices or payments increase and leaves households more exposed to even routine surprises.”

— Andrew Housser, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Achieve (lifehealth.com)

The takeaway

The survey findings underscore the growing financial hardship faced by many American households, who are being forced to make difficult tradeoffs and take on risky measures to manage their debt and rising costs. This trend is widening the gap between the affluent and the struggling, and poses serious risks to the financial, physical, and mental well-being of those most affected.