A TSB and Lightning Reach survey found that 66% of Britons are concerned about their economic prospects in the coming months, and 51% of those surveyed are in debt. Additionally, 31% have resorted to cutting back on essentials such as food and heating. According to Daily Express - UK News, Vicky described the financial strain of adult children unable to afford to move out, saying it impacts her well-being and makes her feel stuck. The specific government policies or interventions being planned to address these widespread issues remain unclear.
In the United States, buy now, pay later services are becoming a critical support for many, with a LendingTree survey indicating that 54% of users said they would not be able to make ends meet without these services. The same survey showed that 29% of users have used the loans to purchase groceries, roughly double the share from two years ago, and 38% of Gen Z users have done so for food purchases. However, reliance comes with risks: 47% of users reported making at least one late payment in the past year, up from 34% in 2024.
In the UK, housing affordability is forcing many into shared living arrangements. According to Nationwide research, the average age of Brits living in house shares is 35. A Nationwide survey found that 69% of people think living alone is unaffordable, and Brits believe 29 is the age at which house sharing becomes embarrassing. The same survey indicated that 11% of Brits are still sharing housing to split costs and pool resources.
I currently live in an owned property with my husband and four children. Of these children, three are over 18 and financially independent. My son moved out three years ago, but his relationship broke down, so he has moved back in with us. The older children are unable to afford to move out or buy a house, which has made our living situation quite challenging. Since my son moved back, it's been a struggle because we only have a three-bedroom house. One of my daughters has to stay at her boyfriend's house because there aren't enough rooms or beds for everyone, especially since her brother shares a room with his sister. I have felt embarrassed about our living situation, particularly with four children in a three-bedroom house. It’s not ideal, but we have no choice given our circumstances. Sometimes, I wonder about my future and my relationship, and I feel that not having enough money impacts me, making me feel stuck where I am. The financial strain is a constant concern and affects my overall well-being.
Young Brits are experiencing significant financial stress, with a Citizens Advice and Loqbox survey reporting that 65% of UK adults aged 18 to 28 said money worries are damaging their mental health. An Intuit Credit Karma survey found that 51% of Gen Z adults aged 18 to 29 feel less financially secure than they had expected to be by this point in their lives. According to Thomas Monaghan from Citizens Advice, if young people lack financial knowledge, they may feel stressed or lose sleep over money worries.
Consumer confidence in the UK has declined sharply, with a Which? survey showing it fell by 13 points to -56 during February and March. The same TSB and Lightning Reach survey noted that 38% of Britons reported their finances had deteriorated since this time last year. A Which? survey also found that 49% of UK households are forced to make at least one adjustment to ease financial pressure, such as dipping into savings, selling possessions, or borrowing money.
Despite challenges, young Brits are adopting money-saving strategies. A Plum survey indicated that 95% of UK 18–29-year-olds are finding savvy ways to save money without giving up life's little luxuries. The same survey showed that 28% of this group using reselling apps have made an average of £184 over the past year, 46% have opted for the ‘round up’ setting on their banking apps to save extra cash, and 33% are making the most of Lifetime ISA accounts to purchase their first home or save for retirement. A KPMG survey reported that 8% of UK consumers use reselling sites as their main way of buying non-grocery goods so far in 2026, rising to 15% of those aged 18 to 24, and 33% have sold an item via a reselling site this year, averaging five items across all age groups.
Millennials are also adjusting their spending based on financial expectations. An Intuit Credit Karma survey found that 62% of Millennials have made at least one purchase in the past year shaped by how they feel about ageing and where they are in life.