Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Already a member?
Log in
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
A new report supports what financial experts have long suspected – Americans are having a hard time paying their bills as costs rise across the board.
Only two-thirds of U.S. households paid all their bills on time over the past year, according to a September survey from nonprofit Financial Health Network.
“The nation’s households experienced a modest but widespread decrease in financial health between spring 2025 and spring 2026,” the report said. “More households became financially vulnerable, struggling to save money, pay bills, and repay debts.”
Unpaid bills suggests that households have less cash on hand, and are prioritizing basic needs.
Respondents also said they felt more financially vulnerable than they did a year earlier – 17 percent compared to 15 percent in 2025.
Feeling financially vulnerable has increased among American households in the last year (AFP/Getty)
That increase was more severe with student loan borrowers whose sense of financial vulnerability rose to 27 percent – up 6 per cent from last year.
A separate 2026 survey, from financial services firm Self Financial, found that 89 percent of Americans are living or have lived paycheck-to-paycheck over the past year. One-third said they have no money left at the end of the month after spending their wages on necessities and bills.
It has been a year of economic upheaval for Americans as costs rise due to President Donald Trump’s war with Iran and widespread tariffs.
On Thursday, gas cost an average of $4.48 a gallon – $1.32 higher than a year ago. Inflation rose to a four-year high before falling to 3.4 percent last month, according to September data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
It has been a year of economic upheaval for Americans as costs rise due to multiple factors, including President Donald Trump’s war with Iran and widespread tariffs (Getty)
Consumer sentiment on the economy fell for the second straight month in September, according to a University of Michigan study.
“Year-ahead expectations for both personal finances and business conditions plunged. With a resurgence in fuel prices and trade tensions, consumers anticipate greater pressures on their pocketbooks to come,” University of Michigan researchers said.
That outlook not improve in the coming months after the Federal Reserve announced a 0.25% interest rate increase earlier this month. The decision will likely drive up the rate consumers will pay for mortgages, auto loans and more.