Latest news with #TalkerResearch
New York Post
18 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
8 in 10 Americans changing spending habits over recession fears: survey
The current economy is changing how Americans manage their money, according to new research. A recent survey of 2,000 general population Americans revealed that eight in 10 (77%) have changed the way they manage their finances as a result of ongoing economic conditions. With the majority (86%) feeling that the economy remains uncertain — and six in 10 (58%) believing a recession is inevitable — people are doubling down on predictability, stability and long-term control when it comes to their spending. Commissioned by Affirm and conducted by Talker Research, results found that half (50%) want to keep cash available for unexpected expenses or financial uncertainty, two in five (41%) want to manage their budget with fixed, predictable payments, and over a third (36%) are thinking more long-term than ever about their finances. A recent survey of 2,000 general population Americans revealed that eight in 10 (77%) have changed the way they manage their finances as a result of ongoing economic conditions. Farknot Architect – This is unsurprising, given the average respondent predicts today's financial uncertainty will last for 10 more months. In response to these challenges, two in five (39%) are prioritizing strategies like avoiding credit card interest or fees. Americans are also taking active steps to strengthen their financial know-how. More than one in four (28%) are improving their financial literacy, nearly one in four (23%) are exploring how to make different payment options work for them and about one in five (19%) are seeking more value from their financial providers to stay ahead in today's climate. Additionally, most respondents (83%) are focused on what they can control with their finances. 'Control means prioritizing predictability,' said Vishal Kapoor, Affirm's SVP of Product. 'That's why nearly half of consumers (49%) named 'no surprise fees' as their top priority when making purchases this year. Affirm is built to support this need — with transparent terms and no late or hidden fees, we help people spend smarter and plan with confidence.' With the majority (86%) feeling that the economy remains uncertain — and six in 10 (58%) believing a recession is inevitable. Andrii Lysenko – In addition to 'no surprise fees,' just over two in five respondents (41%) pointed to interest-free offers, and roughly one in three (35%) valued the ability to spread payments out over time — further underscoring their long-term mindset. Over a quarter (27%) highlighted the need for clear timelines for when payments are due, while two in five (41%) emphasized a need to manage their budget with fixed, predictable payments. All of these priorities tie back to what respondents find important when managing their money in the current economic climate — control, predictability and total clarity when managing their money. 'Consumers clearly want more from their financial tools. They want payment solutions that help them manage their budgets, avoid surprises and stay financially resilient,' Kapoor added. 'That's exactly what we were built for. From options like 0% APR offers to predictable monthly payments, we're giving people greater flexibility and peace of mind as they plan for the future.' Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans; the survey was commissioned by Affirm and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between March 21–25, 2025.
Miami Herald
18 hours ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
How Americans are taking control of their finances in today's economy
The current economy is changing how Americans manage their money, according to new research. A recent survey of 2,000 general population Americans revealed that eight in 10 (77%) have changed the way they manage their finances as a result of ongoing economic conditions. With the majority (86%) feeling that the economy remains uncertain - and six in 10 (58%) believing a recession is inevitable - people are doubling down on predictability, stability and long-term control when it comes to their spending. Commissioned by Affirm and conducted by Talker Research, results found that half (50%) want to keep cash available for unexpected expenses or financial uncertainty, two in five (41%) want to manage their budget with fixed, predictable payments, and over a third (36%) are thinking more long-term than ever about their finances. This is unsurprising, given the average respondent predicts today's financial uncertainty will last for 10 more months. In response to these challenges, two in five (39%) are prioritizing strategies like avoiding credit card interest or fees. Americans are also taking active steps to strengthen their financial know-how. More than one in four (28%) are improving their financial literacy, nearly one in four (23%) are exploring how to make different payment options work for them and about one in five (19%) are seeking more value from their financial providers to stay ahead in today's climate. Additionally, most respondents (83%) are focused on what they can control with their finances. "Control means prioritizing predictability," said Vishal Kapoor, Affirm's SVP of Product. "That's why nearly half of consumers (49%) named 'no surprise fees' as their top priority when making purchases this year. Affirm is built to support this need - with transparent terms and no late or hidden fees, we help people spend smarter and plan with confidence." In addition to "no surprise fees," just over two in five respondents (41%) pointed to interest-free offers, and roughly one in three (35%) valued the ability to spread payments out over time - further underscoring their long-term mindset. Over a quarter (27%) highlighted the need for clear timelines for when payments are due, while two in five (41%) emphasized a need to manage their budget with fixed, predictable payments. All of these priorities tie back to what respondents find important when managing their money in the current economic climate - control, predictability and total clarity when managing their money. "Consumers clearly want more from their financial tools. They want payment solutions that help them manage their budgets, avoid surprises and stay financially resilient," Kapoor added. "That's exactly what we were built for. From options like 0% APR offers to predictable monthly payments, we're giving people greater flexibility and peace of mind as they plan for the future." Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans; the survey was commissioned by Affirm and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between March 21–25, 2025. We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are: Traditional online access panels - where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentiveProgrammatic - where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan. Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value. Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample. Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes: Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speedersOpen ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant textBots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify botsDuplicates: Survey software has "deduping" based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access. The post How Americans are taking control of their finances in today's economy appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
From rescues to life lessons, why dads are praised as lifelong mentors
From donating a kidney to their child to paying off their kid's credit card debt, a new survey revealed some of the most heroic dad acts in honor of Father's Day. In the survey of 2,000 Americans, one respondent shared, 'The most heroic thing my father has ever done for me was during Hurricane Harvey — he trudged through the waters to come get me.' Another reminisced, 'He stopped working and took care of me when I had a car accident.' The poll uncovered that dads truly are the most helpful heroes, with people sharing stories of selflessness and kindness. One person said, 'My dad came and stayed with me when I got a divorce and stayed until he passed away.' Conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by SweatBlock to spotlight how much dads have helped their children over the years, especially when it comes to building up their confidence, the study found that for those who grew up with a dad, most (70%) said their dad is one of their greatest mentors in life. Seventeen percent said their dad is the person they go to the most when they need advice and one in four (25%) shared that their father is the person they call first in a stressful situation when they need help or support. In fact, more than a fourth (29%) revealed they've called their dads for help in the last week. Some of the most heartwarming things dads have come to the rescue for have been helping their kid heal from a breakup (19%), making a rent payment their child couldn't afford (22%) and helping their child figure out their life goals (30%). According to the findings, dads have taught their children how to stand up for themselves (38%) and how to be their best selves (32%). They've helped their kids cultivate practical skills like driving (49%), fixing things around the house (43%) and changing a tire (31%) as well as interpersonal tools like problem solving (47%), communication (39%) and making a good impression (37%). According to respondents, when it comes to self-care, the dads have been helpful there as well, teaching their kids the importance of maintaining their physical (40%) and mental health (30%) as well as the value of splurging on yourself now and again (28%) and having a polished look and appearance (25%). Of the men who grew up with a dad, many learned how to tie a tie from their father (32%) and used their shaving cream (29%) and deodorant (26%) when they were young. More than a quarter (26%) even said their dad bought them their first deodorant. 'We commissioned this study in honor of Father's Day to showcase just how much we owe our dads — from teaching us all things practical, like how to drive, to essentials like how to make a good first impression and the importance of a polished, confident look,' said Chase Purles, chief executive officer at SweatBlock. 'Grooming is especially important for making a good first impression on someone and feeling confident in everything you do.' Looking at confidence more closely, most respondents (59%) rated themselves as 'very' or 'extremely confident.' More than six in 10 (61%) feel they handle stressful situations 'well' or 'expertly', but even so, 58% said they typically start sweating in stressful situations. A good number (39%) confessed they get embarrassed if they're visibly sweaty around others, and shared recent embarrassing sweaty moments like 'When I met my daughter's new boyfriend on FaceTime. Yes, I was embarrassed. I made fun of myself and told him I was sorry he had to meet me looking subhuman.' Or, 'I once had to give a big presentation at work with little preparation time. I was visibly sweating and felt embarrassed, but I took a deep breath, focused on the key points, and pushed through. Afterwards, I felt proud [of myself] for handling the pressure.' Examining people's essentials to feel confident all throughout the day, respondents said a good hair day (47%), strong deodorant (40%) and a stylish outfit (36%) are the most important must-haves. 'Being confident in yourself and your appearance will allow you to direct your focus to the most important things in your life,' said Purles. 'A strong, effective deodorant is key here. No one likes to be damp sweaty, especially when stressed and problem solving. As respondents said, it's one of the most crucial things for feeling poised all day long.' HEROIC DAD ACTS 'My dad donated his kidney to me.' 'He just paid off my credit card debt.' 'The most heroic thing my father has ever done for me was during Hurricane Harvey — he trudged through the waters to come get me.' 'He stopped working and took care of me when I had a car accident.' 'My dad came and stayed with me when I got a divorce and stayed until he passed away.' 'When I wanted to go into business and asked him to [be a] co-signer and put up his house as collateral and he did.' 'On my wedding day, he had to change [a] flat tire before we left for my wedding…it was truly stressful but we made it and his tuxedo did not get damaged.' 'My dad passed away when I was 14 but right before he passed he bought me tickets to go see my favorite singer in concert, George Michael, and he gave me money to buy stuff at the concert [and] it was a dream come true.' 'He worked several jobs in order to be able to afford to put me in college so I won't have to get so many student loans.' 'When I lost my job a few years ago, it was one of the most stressful moments. My dad immediately offered to assist us out financially until I could get back on my feet, which greatly relieved my burden.' 'When my first husband died and left me a widow when I was 32. My dad was there to do whatever I needed.'Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans; the survey was commissioned by SweatBlock and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 15 and May 19, 2025.
New York Post
2 days ago
- General
- New York Post
From rescues to life lessons, why dads are praised as lifelong mentors
From donating a kidney to their child to paying off their kid's credit card debt, a new survey revealed some of the most heroic dad acts in honor of Father's Day. In the survey of 2,000 Americans, one respondent shared, 'The most heroic thing my father has ever done for me was during Hurricane Harvey — he trudged through the waters to come get me.' Another reminisced, 'He stopped working and took care of me when I had a car accident.' The poll uncovered that dads truly are the most helpful heroes, with people sharing stories of selflessness and kindness. One person said, 'My dad came and stayed with me when I got a divorce and stayed until he passed away.' 6 The poll uncovered that dads truly are the most helpful heroes, with people sharing stories of selflessness and kindness. Getty Images Conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by SweatBlock to spotlight how much dads have helped their children over the years, especially when it comes to building up their confidence, the study found that for those who grew up with a dad, most (70%) said their dad is one of their greatest mentors in life. Seventeen percent said their dad is the person they go to the most when they need advice and one in four (25%) shared that their father is the person they call first in a stressful situation when they need help or support. In fact, more than a fourth (29%) revealed they've called their dads for help in the last week. Some of the most heartwarming things dads have come to the rescue for have been helping their kid heal from a breakup (19%), making a rent payment their child couldn't afford (22%) and helping their child figure out their life goals (30%). 6 Seventeen percent said their dad is the person they go to the most when they need advice. Getty Images/iStockphoto According to the findings, dads have taught their children how to stand up for themselves (38%) and how to be their best selves (32%). They've helped their kids cultivate practical skills like driving (49%), fixing things around the house (43%) and changing a tire (31%) as well as interpersonal tools like problem solving (47%), communication (39%) and making a good impression (37%). According to respondents, when it comes to self-care, the dads have been helpful there as well, teaching their kids the importance of maintaining their physical (40%) and mental health (30%) as well as the value of splurging on yourself now and again (28%) and having a polished look and appearance (25%). 6 Dads have taught their children how to stand up for themselves (38%) and how to be their best selves (32%). Getty Images Of the men who grew up with a dad, many learned how to tie a tie from their father (32%) and used their shaving cream (29%) and deodorant (26%) when they were young. More than a quarter (26%) even said their dad bought them their first deodorant. 'We commissioned this study in honor of Father's Day to showcase just how much we owe our dads — from teaching us all things practical, like how to drive, to essentials like how to make a good first impression and the importance of a polished, confident look,' said Chase Purles, chief executive officer at SweatBlock. 'Grooming is especially important for making a good first impression on someone and feeling confident in everything you do.' Looking at confidence more closely, most respondents (59%) rated themselves as 'very' or 'extremely confident.' 6 Of the men who grew up with a dad, many learned how to tie a tie from their father (32%). Getty Images More than six in 10 (61%) feel they handle stressful situations 'well' or 'expertly', but even so, 58% said they typically start sweating in stressful situations. A good number (39%) confessed they get embarrassed if they're visibly sweaty around others, and shared recent embarrassing sweaty moments like 'When I met my daughter's new boyfriend on FaceTime. Yes, I was embarrassed. I made fun of myself and told him I was sorry he had to meet me looking subhuman.' Or, 'I once had to give a big presentation at work with little preparation time. I was visibly sweating and felt embarrassed, but I took a deep breath, focused on the key points, and pushed through. Afterwards, I felt proud [of myself] for handling the pressure.' 6 Most respondents (59%) rated themselves as 'very' or 'extremely confident.' Getty Images Examining people's essentials to feel confident all throughout the day, respondents said a good hair day (47%), strong deodorant (40%) and a stylish outfit (36%) are the most important must-haves. 'Being confident in yourself and your appearance will allow you to direct your focus to the most important things in your life,' said Purles. 'A strong, effective deodorant is key here. No one likes to be damp sweaty, especially when stressed and problem solving. As respondents said, it's one of the most crucial things for feeling poised all day long.' HEROIC DAD ACTS 'My dad donated his kidney to me.' 'He just paid off my credit card debt.' 'The most heroic thing my father has ever done for me was during Hurricane Harvey — he trudged through the waters to come get me.' 'He stopped working and took care of me when I had a car accident.' 'My dad came and stayed with me when I got a divorce and stayed until he passed away.' 'When I wanted to go into business and asked him to [be a] co-signer and put up his house as collateral and he did.' 'On my wedding day, he had to change [a] flat tire before we left for my wedding…it was truly stressful but we made it and his tuxedo did not get damaged.' 'My dad passed away when I was 14 but right before he passed he bought me tickets to go see my favorite singer in concert, George Michael, and he gave me money to buy stuff at the concert [and] it was a dream come true.' 'He worked several jobs in order to be able to afford to put me in college so I won't have to get so many student loans.' 'When I lost my job a few years ago, it was one of the most stressful moments. My dad immediately offered to assist us out financially until I could get back on my feet, which greatly relieved my burden.' 'When my first husband died and left me a widow when I was 32. My dad was there to do whatever I needed.' 6 The study found that for those who grew up with a dad, most (70%) said their dad is one of their greatest mentors in life. Getty Images Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans; the survey was commissioned by SweatBlock and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 15 and May 19, 2025.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Only One-Quarter of Gen Z Has Ever Written a Check — Does It Matter?
As members of Gen Z graduate college and prepare to enter the workforce, many members of this demographic lack basic money management skills. Only 26% have ever written a check, while 22% have balanced a checkbook, according to a new survey from Chime by Talker Research. While these skills may seem antiquated in today's digital world, they represent a solid foundation of financial knowledge and can pave the way to better money management skills across the board. Check Out: Read Next: Even if you only need to write a check once or twice a year — or even less frequently — it's often for milestone events like paying wedding vendors or buying a house. 'Digital payments often come with extra fees,' said Chime chief spending officer Janelle Sallenave, noting that these fees can add up for large payments. Rather than walking into a car dealership, for instance, with $5,000 in cash for a down payment on a vehicle, a check provides a secure, fee-free way to pay. You might also want or need to write checks to cover rent payments, bank deposits for opening a checking or savings account online or even to mail money as a gift to an out-of-town relative. For some purchases, such as buying a home, you'll need to write a certified check or cashier's check. These checks, usually for large amounts, come with a guarantee from the bank that the money is in the account and the check won't bounce; it won't be declined due to insufficient funds. A certified check is backed by the money in your account, while a cashier's check is drawn from the bank's funds after you give the bank that money plus a fee. Discover More: Knowing how to balance a checkbook is even more important, as it can help you keep tabs on your money, avoid overdraft charges or returned payments and can also help maintain a budget. Especially with automatic electronic deposits and automatic bill-pay features in checking accounts today, it's important to take a look at what's coming into and out of your account weekly, if not daily. 'Your online balance doesn't always reflect pending charges or holds,' Sallenave said. Getting into the habit of keeping a separate record of transactions and comparing that record to your bank statements monthly can also help you spot erroneous charges or even subscriptions you might want to cancel because you don't use them anymore. Essentially, taking a solid look at your money coming in and out regularly can help you feel more in control of your finances. While Gen Z may not be the best at analog money management tools like checks or paper bank ledgers, they are showing financial maturity in other ways. The Chime survey indicated that 35% of Gen Z has created and stuck to a budget. They might be leveraging digital tools for money management, and keeping a budget indicates 'they're paying attention to where their money goes,' Sallenave said. She called a budget 'a step in the right direction when it comes to [being] financially responsible.' More From GOBankingRates How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Every State? 6 Big Shakeups Coming to Social Security in 2025 This article originally appeared on Only One-Quarter of Gen Z Has Ever Written a Check — Does It Matter?
