Key Takeaways
- Americans’ financial confidence has fallen 13% since 2020, driven by inflation, economic instability, and rising living costs.
- Many Americans also aren’t prepared with a written financial plan, but advisors note that mapping out your goals can turn uncertainty into focus.
- Even in uncertain times, behavioral shifts like values-based planning and focusing on what you can control can restore optimism and clarity.
What You Can Do
Despite years of declining confidence, financial advisors say there are meaningful ways to regain your footing, no matter your age or income. It starts with a mindset shift, but it doesn’t stop there.
Have a Plan
Create a written plan—even a simple one. “The most powerful step is creating a written financial plan,” says Shetye. “When people see their goals mapped out with real numbers and scenarios, fear turns into focus and confusion turns into clarity.” Nearly half of Americans (47%) don’t have one, according to the Allianz study—but a few lines on a piece of paper can be the start.1
“Start simple,” says Maldonado. “Write down one financial objective, and give it a ballpark dollar figure and a time frame.”
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Own Your Investments
Invest in what you can control. You can’t predict markets or policy shifts, but you can take charge of your own plan. “Learning to focus on what they can control—saving, spending, investing, asset allocation and location, and tax planning—instead of factors beyond their control, like politics, markets, and the incessant noise,” says Shetye. “That makes the biggest difference.”
Even if your confidence is down, Maldonado stresses that you should continue to invest in growth-focused vehicles like low-cost, diversified equity index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). That includes maintaining a long-term strategy that keeps pace with rising costs—and avoids the trap of being too conservative in volatile times.
Keep Building Income
Don’t just save—find ways to expand your financial capacity. “Invest in your earning potential,” Maldonado says. That might mean investing in your education, launching a side hustle, taking a part-time gig, or simply pursuing a new job that offers better pay and benefits.
And while the headlines may feel discouraging, Shetye emphasizes that mindset matters: “Moving from a scarcity mindset (‘Will I have enough?’) to a values-based mindset (‘What really matters to me, and how can my money support that?’) changes everything.”
Revisit and Update Your Plan
Your plan shouldn’t live in a drawer, and that means taking time to adjust it as necessary. “The clients who revisit their plan regularly, understand their numbers better, and have a thinking partner to guide them feel more grounded and optimistic—especially in times of uncertainty,” says Shetye.
Don’t Go at It Alone
Finally, having a trusted guide helps. If you’re feeling uncertain about how to approach your finances, meeting with a financial advisor can help you clarify goals, especially if you have more complex finances, says Maldonado.
The Bottom Line
Financial confidence in the United States has slipped steadily for half a decade—but that doesn’t mean you have to feel powerless. Mapping out a plan, investing in your earning potential, and focusing on what really matters can help you reclaim control. A little clarity—and a long-term view—go a long way.