Jun 12, 2026
When we think of socio-economic tiers, many of us probably think of something along the lines of: rich, wealthy, upper-middle-class, middle-class, working class, and poor.
However, the definition for each tier is ever-changing. Your status varies not just based on your income, but also on external factors such as your location.
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Edward Jones partnered with polling firm Gallup to identify new financial categories for North Americans — ones that reflect people’s overall financial well-being rather than metrics like income or net worth.
The survey of over 5,000 adults helped break Americans down into three tiers: financially fulfilled, financially conflicted, and financially stressed. These address how respondents feel about their money overall. You could be a high earner but still feel financially stressed due to debt or a lack of understanding about money management.
“For me, it is less about affording luxuries, and more so knowing that if I lost my job tomorrow, I could still pay my mortgage for the next few months,” said a 30-year-old male participant in Michigan who identified as financially fulfilled.
Financially stressed, conflicted, or fulfilled?
The Gallup survey found that 16% of Americans were financially fulfilled, 51% were financially conflicted, and 32% were financially stressed. (These numbers were rounded to the nearest percentage.)
The study defined financial fulfillment as the sense that your financial decisions align with your values, that you feel in control of your finances, and that you associate money with positive emotions.
“Two words come to mind: secure and fortified,” said the financially fulfilled man from Michigan.
If you’re financially conflicted, the topic of money brings up mixed emotions, and you aren’t entirely confident or unconfident. You sometimes have to make compromises between your finances and other priorities.
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“We decided to forgo our annual vacation this year, which was a really hard decision,” said a 54-year-old financially conflicted woman in Missouri. “But we wanted to focus on paying off some bills early that are close to being paid off instead.”
People who are financially stressed have low confidence and control over their money. Finances evoke negative feelings, and financial decisions often involve difficult sacrifices that conflict with their other values.
“We’re doing okay, but if an emergency comes up, that would be really hard. … It is one of those things that is always in the back of your head,” said a 34-year-old financially stressed man in Wisconsin.
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Financial fulfillment impacts various aspects of your life
The survey examined how a person’s level of financial fulfillment affected their health, community, and relationships. The more financially fulfilled someone was, the more fulfilled they felt in these areas, too.
For example, 74% of financially fulfilled respondents reported that their mental health was very good or excellent, while just 43% of conflicted and 13% of stressed people reported the same.
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Financially fulfilled Americans were also more likely to report that their neighborhood was a great place for their family, that they had a strong sense of community where they lived, and that they had positive relationships with their children and romantic partners.
Those who were fulfilled were the most likely to prioritize charitable giving. Their main values were having income for a healthy lifestyle and experiences. However, financially stressed people had different goals for their money.
How to move toward financial fulfillment
Financially stressed people wanted lower debt, higher income, and more financial stability so they could comfortably buy things and live healthier lifestyles. Financially conflicted participants prioritized the same goals, along with saving for retirement and having more fun money for experiences.
The first step to getting out of debt is to stop accruing more debt. Budgeting and setting up an emergency fund with three to six months of expenses will set you up for success when an unexpected cost heads your way. Meanwhile, continue to make minimum monthly payments on your debts.
Next, focus on paying down your debts more aggressively. You might like the snowball method, which involves paying off your smallest debt first, then working your way down the list until you repay the one with the largest principal. Or you may prefer the avalanche method, where you prioritize paying off debts with higher interest rates.
Earning more money is often easier said than done, and the best method depends on your situation. Consider asking for a raise or promotion at work, working paid overtime, retraining or switching to a higher-paying career that still aligns with your expertise.
It’s not about hitting a specific salary or net worth. It’s about making your money work for you to give you the highest possible quality of life.
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Laura Grace Tarpley is a contributing reporter for Moneywise who has been covering personal finance and working in digital media for 10 years. Her expertise spans banking, investing, retirement, loans, mortgages, and taxes.
