WSFS Bank Money Trends Survey: Regional Households Are Reshaping Their Financial Habits

Consumers aren’t just spending less; they’re spending differently.

WSFS Bank’s 2026 Money Trends Survey reveals a meaningful shift in how households are approaching their finances. Consumers are becoming more intentional about where their money goes, making careful tradeoffs, reevaluating priorities, and looking for ways to create greater financial flexibility.

Yet even with these changes, many still feel financially stretched.

Nearly four in 10 (39%) respondents say they’re spending less overall than they were a year ago. At the same time, rising costs for essential expenses continue to consume a larger share of household budgets. Nearly two-thirds (64%) report spending more on groceries, while more than half (56%) say utility costs have increased. Housing, transportation, and healthcare continue to account for a growing share of monthly expenses.

The story isn’t just that costs remain elevated. It’s that consumers are actively changing their behavior in response and making financially healthy decisions despite the ongoing pressure. In other words, many families aren’t spending more because they’re living larger; they’re spending more because life itself costs more.

Essential Expenses Are Reshaping Household Budgets

When households look for opportunities to save, they typically start with the areas they can control, dining out less frequently, postponing travel, delaying discretionary purchases, or reducing entertainment spending.

The challenge is that today’s financial pressure is increasingly driven by expenses that offer far less flexibility. As groceries, utilities, housing, and healthcare account for larger portions of monthly budgets, households have fewer opportunities to offset those increases through discretionary spending alone. For many, the financial squeeze is the result of essential expenses consuming a larger share of income than they did just a few years ago. 

Consumers Are Spending Intentionally

One of the most encouraging themes emerging from this year’s survey is discipline.

Among respondents who report spending has increased, 77% point to inflation rather than lifestyle choices as the reason. Rather than relying heavily on borrowing, many households are adjusting their financial habits in thoughtful ways.

More than a quarter of people (28%) report reducing nonessential spending. One in four (25%) say they’re using credit cards less frequently, and 22% are prioritizing their savings where possible. The survey also shows growing usage of debit cards for everyday purchases and declining reliance on Buy Now, Pay Later services.

Together, these shifts suggest consumers aren’t retreating financially; they’re adapting. Households are making deliberate decisions about spending, borrowing, and saving in ways that can strengthen their long-term financial health.

What Financially Healthy Households Are Doing Differently

Periods of economic uncertainty often reward small adjustments with more than dramatic changes. The households navigating today’s environment the most successfully tend to share several common habits:

1. They regularly revisit their financial plan. A budget created two years ago may not reflect today’s reality. As households adapt to rising costs, regularly revisiting budgets has become increasingly important.
2. They prioritize financial flexibility. Building emergency savings remains one of the most effective ways to prepare for unexpected expenses. Even setting aside small amounts consistently can create flexibility over time.
3. They distinguish wants from needs without eliminating joy. Financial discipline doesn’t require eliminating everything enjoyable. Instead, many households are becoming more selective, directing their spending on the experiences and purchases that matter most.
4. They make their savings work harder. Whether through high-yield savings options, thoughtful debt management, or reviewing existing financial products, consumers have more opportunities than ever to improve how their money performs without necessarily earning more income.
5. They seek advice before problems become urgent. Financial planning doesn’t have to begin during a crisis. Conversations about saving, borrowing, or long-term goals are often most valuable before difficult decisions need to be made.
6. They think about their financial picture in the long-term. When budgets get tighter and headlines get louder, they look to trusted advisors who can differentiate signal from noise by taking a measured approach to the markets.

A More Intentional Financial Future

One of the most encouraging takeaways from this year’s survey is that consumers are demonstrating resilience.

Even as essential expenses continue to pressure households, many are responding by making more thoughtful financial decisions, managing debt more carefully, and focusing on long-term stability rather than short-term convenience.

Financial resilience isn’t built by accurately predicting the economy. It’s built by consistently making informed decisions, adapting when circumstances change, and using the right tools and guidance to focus on long-term goals.

At WSFS, we believe confidence comes from understanding your options. Whether you’re revisiting your budget, exploring ways to strengthen savings, considering how home equity fits into a broader financial picture, or planning for what’s next, having trusted guidance can help you make decisions that support today’s needs and tomorrow’s goals.

Connect with a WSFS Associate to start the conversation and explore strategies tailored to your unique financial situation.