As Americans step into the New Year, Financial Wellness Month arrives at a time of mounting financial pressure. New data shows U.S. household debt rose by $197 billion in the third quarter of 2025, pushing total debt to $18.59 trillion. Credit card balances alone climbed to $1.23 trillion, signaling that many consumers are facing increased strain just as they attempt to reset their finances in January.
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Against this backdrop, a new national survey from Beyond Finance highlights a growing gap between people’s financial intentions and their ability to sustain progress. While the New Year is traditionally seen as a fresh start, the findings suggest that conventional goal-setting methods are no longer delivering lasting results and may even be contributing to frustration and burnout during a period when financial stability is more critical than ever.
The survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults reveals that most Americans struggle to maintain financial goals beyond the early months of the year. A significant majority admitted that some or all of their goals from the previous year fell by the wayside, often within the first few months. Despite this pattern, many consumers continue to set new financial resolutions, even as confidence in their effectiveness declines. Less than half of respondents believe financial resolutions actually improve long-term financial health, highlighting a disconnect between intention and belief.
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Money also remains a deeply emotional topic for many Americans. The survey found that financial stress is widespread, with many respondents reporting anxiety, pressure, and conflicting feelings about money’s role in their lives. While most acknowledge that money can improve quality of life, nearly half feel it is never enough. Adding to the challenge, many respondents believe money should remain a private topic, leaving individuals to manage rising debt and financial stress largely on their own.
According to Dr. Erika Rasure, Chief Financial Wellness Advisor at Beyond Finance, these struggles are not a matter of willpower. She notes that Financial Wellness Month comes at a time when people are quietly carrying record levels of debt while blaming themselves when traditional advice falls short. True progress, she explains, begins with understanding the emotions, beliefs, and values that shape financial behavior. When people align financial decisions with their personal values, they are better equipped to handle uncertainty, debt, and long-term goals without shame.
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As Financial Wellness Month begins, Beyond Finance is encouraging a shift away from rigid resolutions toward a more holistic, values-driven approach to money. By focusing on self-awareness rather than self-criticism, individuals can better understand where their financial beliefs originate and build habits that feel sustainable rather than restrictive.
Since 2011, Beyond Finance has helped more than one million people pay off over $3 billion in debt through personalized debt consolidation plans, financial therapy sessions, and innovative tools. The company’s work aims to help consumers break the cycle of debt, develop healthier financial behaviors, and achieve lasting financial freedom.
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