In 2025 73% of Americans said doing OK or comfortably financially, unchanged from 2024In 2025 63% said could cover over $400 emergency with cash or equivalent, unchanged from 2024Certain demographic groups, including low-income, young, and Black adults, saw meaningful declines in assessments of financial wellbeingIn 2025 42% of adults said "finding or keeping a job" was either a "minor" or "major concern" vs 37% in 2024Concerns about price increases eased slightly yet remained most common financial concern among US adultsIn 2025 26% of adults rated national economy as "good" or "excellent" vs 29% in 2024 and 50% in 2019 before the pandemicIn 2025 77% of adults changed behavior in response to higher prices vs 79% in 2024One-in-four workers said they used generative AI at work in the prior monthAI users more likely to expect it to improve their career than replace their jobsThe 2025 survey results painted a picture of a US consumer that was still relatively resilient financially, but increasingly uneasy beneath the surface. While 73% of Americans said they were doing OK or living comfortably financially — unchanged from 2024 — confidence in the broader economy remained weak, with only 26% rating the national economy as “good” or “excellent,” down sharply from 50% before the pandemic. Consumers continued to adapt to the cumulative impact of years of inflation, with 77% reporting they had changed spending behavior because of higher prices. Even though concern about inflation eased slightly, it remained the top financial worry for households.The survey also showed growing fault lines in the labor market and financial wellbeing. The share of adults worried about finding or keeping a job rose to 42% from 37% a year earlier, and lower-income, younger, and Black Americans reported worsening financial conditions. Meanwhile, the ability to handle emergencies remained stagnant, with only 63% able to cover a $400 emergency expense with cash or equivalent. That suggests many households were stable, but not necessarily strengthening financially despite years of economic expansion.The growing role of AI emerged as a major new theme in 2025. One in four workers reported using generative AI at work in the prior month, and most users viewed AI as a tool to improve productivity and career prospects rather than a direct threat to employment. That optimism likely reflected the early-stage nature of AI adoption, where efficiency gains were more visible than labor displacement.Looking ahead to 2026 – this was a survey from 2025 – the environment is likely much more challenging. Higher inflation tied to rising energy prices, war-related supply disruptions, and persistent service inflation could further pressure household budgets and reduce confidence. If geopolitical conflicts persist, consumers may once again face higher gasoline, food, transportation, and utility costs, potentially reversing the modest easing in inflation concerns seen in 2025.At the same time, AI’s impact on employment may be shifting more from from experimentation to implementation. Companies facing higher costs and slower growth may increasingly use AI to improve efficiency and reduce labor expenses. That could create greater anxiety about job security, especially for entry-level, administrative, customer service, and repetitive knowledge-based roles. While higher-skilled workers may continue to benefit from AI augmentation, lower-income and younger workers could face disproportionate disruption, widening existing financial divides already highlighted in the 2025 survey.The combination of elevated inflation, restrictive interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty, and accelerating AI adoption creates a potentially more fragile backdrop for consumers in 2026. Households that appeared resilient in 2025 may become more cautious if savings buffers weaken, borrowing costs stay high, and employment uncertainty increases. As a result, confidence in both personal finances and the broader economy could come under renewed pressure even if headline economic growth remains positive. This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.