More than 3.8 million Aussies\u2019 spending habits have spiralled out of control as mounting cost of living pressures continue to strangle budgets and hurt discretionary spending across the nation.<\/p>\n
A fresh survey from comparison site Finder shared exclusively with SkyNews.com.au has shed light on the financial troubles plaguing many who continue to do it tough.<\/p>\n
About four per cent of the 1034 respondents said they were ashamed of their spending habits, while another 14 per cent admitted they were \u201cpowerless\u201d when it comes to their spending.<\/p>\n
This is equivalent to 3.8 million consumers who felt their spending habits had spiralled out of control.<\/p>\n
About six per cent of women reported feeling ashamed of their spending habits, much higher than the two per cent of men.<\/p>\n
Similarly, 17 per cent of women said they were powerless when it came to spending compared to 11 per cent of men.<\/p>\n
Finder\u2019s money expert Alison Banney said the research was a bleak reminder of how financial pressures continued to plague many.<\/p>\n
\u201cMoney shame isn\u2019t just emotional \u2013 it can trap people in a cycle of overspending and debt,” Ms Banney said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen your finances feel out of control, it impacts confidence, relationships and mental health.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis shows money stress is far more common than most people realise.\u201d<\/p>\n
About one in four respondents were indifferent about their spending habits while 60 per cent of men and 53 per cent of women said they felt in control of their spending habits.<\/p>\n
Ms Banney said shame surrounding spending could often make problems worse.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven small steps like tracking spending or setting up automatic savings can restore control,” she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t need to be perfect with money \u2013 little changes can make a big difference over time.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also urged struggling Aussies not to ignore their problems with finances.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake one small step today to get back in control, whether that\u2019s checking your bank balance, setting a budget or asking for help,” Ms Banney said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sooner you act, the sooner the stress starts to lift.\u201d<\/p>\n
It comes as Finder\u2019s Cost of Living Pressure Gauge increased from 71 per cent to 73 per cent at the end of July 2025.<\/p>\n
The gauge peaked over the past five years at 84 per cent in April and May of 2023 when inflation was just coming off its post-pandemic high of 7.8 per cent.<\/p>\n