The top 3 money regrets that haunted Americans last year. How to avoid them in 2026

As 2025 drew to a close, many Americans looked back on the year with financial regret. According to a new survey from Credit Karma, nearly half (49%) of U.S adults say they’re worse off financially, largely due to unexpected expenses (1).

It's been a challenging year economically. From tariff policies and high inflation to a record-long government shutdown and rising unemployment, financial stress hit households hard. Two-thirds (67%) of survey respondents say economic conditions directly impacted their spending habits.

The pressures led Americans to save less, spend impulsively and lean too heavily on high-interest credit cards.

But understanding these regrets can help consumers learn from their actions and inform future decisions, carving a pathway in 2026 that can significantly improve their financial stability.

Here’s exactly what Americans regretted doing the most, and how they can hit the reset button in the new year.

1. Not saving money

Nearly four in 10 (38%) Americans wish they'd saved more money in 2025, the top regret among Americans, according to Credit Karma.

2026 action steps

1. Build a budget that lays out your expenses, and see how much room is available to set aside a certain amount of money for savings.
2. Set up automatic transfers from checking to savings accounts after each paycheck. This way, you don't need to remember to make them manually, take time to set them up or resist the urge to skip them.
3. Start small if necessary — even $25 per paycheck adds up to $650 annually for biweekly earners.

2. Impulse purchases based on emotions

More than one in four (28%) Americans regret letting emotions drive their purchasing decisions last year. Impulse buying is also the top habit (34%) Americans say they want to break in 2026.

2026 action steps

1. Implement a 24-to-48-hour cooling-off period before any non-essential purchase over $50. Add items to a cart or wishlist, then revisit the next day. Many "must-have" items lose appeal after a brief delay.
2. Track not just what you buy impulsively, but when and why. Do you shop when stressed, bored or celebrating? Understanding your patterns can help you develop alternative coping strategies.
3. Consider using cash for discretionary spending. Allocate a specific weekly amount, withdraw it in cash, and when it's gone, you're done until next paycheck.

3. Too much credit card debt

More than one in five (21%) Americans wish they'd relied less on credit cards in 2025. This regret carries harsh consequences because of steep interest rates.

2026 action steps

1. First, stop adding to the balance. Shift to debit or cash for daily purchases until you've paid down your existing credit card debt.
2. Attack your debts. Use the avalanche method (pay highest-interest debt first) or snowball method (pay smallest balances first). Choose whichever approach you'll stick with.
3. If you’re struggling to pay down the debt on your own, consider debt consolidation or financial counseling services to help simplify payments.

Be aware and take it slow

Nobody’s perfect, but financial awareness matters. As you settle into 2026, think about simple steps you can take to work toward achieving your financial goals. It doesn’t have to happen all at once — take small steps if necessary.

The financial pressures that created these 2025 regrets won't disappear on their own. But implementing concrete systems to avoid repeating them in 2026 can make a significant difference.

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Credit Karma (1)