#household-finances

#household-finances

By some surveys, public opinion on the economy is roughly as negative as at the height of Biden-era inflation or even the 2008 global financial crisis. It appears to reflect some underlying weakness in the economic forces that most directly affect Americans' well-being, which are not evident in big-picture economic data. Driving the news: The new Axios Vibes survey by the Harris Poll shows 65% of Americans see themselves as either sometimes or regularly financially squeezed each month, up from 58% in June 2024.

The Resolution Foundation thinktank found that the number of customers in energy debt has increased and the size of their debts has risen. It found that between 2012 and 2024 the average gas and electricity debts more than doubled to 1,400 and 1,600, respectively, from an average of approximately 500. The number of customers behind on their electricity bills, with no repayment plan, has more than tripled from 300,000 in 2012 to more than 1m at the end of last year, the report found.

For Love & Money is a column from Business Insider answering your relationship and money questions. This week, a reader feels she's the only one working hard while her husband pursues his dream job. Our columnist spoke with personal finance author Ramit Sethi, who suggested having a series of conversations. Have a question for our columnist? Write to For Love & Money using this Google form.