Americans’ Top 3 Money Fears Heading Into 2026, According to Fidelity

Despite a turbulent year, astir Americans consciousness financially stable. A caller Fidelity survey recovered that 70% of Americans judge they are successful a amended oregon akin fiscal concern than they were astatine the aforesaid clip past year. Yet, looming challenges remain.

Here are the apical fiscal fears shaping 2026, positive adept tips to assistance you prepare.

Inflation remains a large interest heading into the caller year. Fidelity recovered that 45% of Americans are disquieted astir rising mundane prices, up from 37% past year. However, determination are signs of alleviation ahead.

“While it’s hard to accidental for definite what 2026 has successful store, determination person been immoderate indicators that we mightiness get immoderate alleviation from the ostentation we experienced this year,” Leanna Devinney, marketplace person astatine Fidelity Investments, told GOBankingRates. “The USDA, for example, is projecting a slower summation successful at-home nutrient costs.”

Still, readying up is key.

“The champion happening you tin bash is make a fiscal program that tin assistance you navigate immoderate comes your mode successful the caller year,” Devinney said. “Planning helps you crook anxiousness into enactment and tin springiness you bid of mind.”

A large archetypal measurement is reviewing your fund and spending habits.

“Make definite your fund reflects imaginable rising costs, and specify your indispensable versus nonessential expenses,” Devinney said.

Fidelity recommended spending nary much than 60% of your income connected indispensable expenses, similar nutrient and housing, and keeping the remainder for retirement, savings, nonessential expenses and your exigency fund.

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Nearly 31% of Americans interest astir unexpected expenses successful the coming year. The champion defence is an exigency fund.

“Set speech astatine slightest $1,000 to start, past enactment toward redeeming capable wealth to screen 3 to six months’ worthy of indispensable expenses,” Devinney said.

Knowing you person this cushion for erstwhile the unexpected happens volition assistance alleviate immoderate of the accent of the unknown.

“Consider keeping those exigency funds successful a wealth marketplace money oregon high-yield savings relationship truthful it tin gain more, portion inactive being easy accessible successful lawsuit you request it,” Devinney said.

Healthcare and security costs are different large concern, with 28% of Americans bracing for higher bills successful 2026.

“There’s nary one-size-fits-all proposal for however overmuch you mightiness request to budget, due to the fact that healthcare costs tin alteration wide based connected your idiosyncratic program and the needs of you and your family,” Devinney said. “Generally, you should purpose to acceptable speech capable currency to screen your plan’s deductible oregon out-of-pocket maximum.”