U.S. consumers are willing to cut back on discretionary spending such as shopping if it means they could adopt a savings habit of $100 a month, according to a CIT Bank survey.
The “Financial Bliss Survey,” conducted by the Harris Poll, found that 39% of consumers are prioritizing savings in 2019, up from 23% in CIT Bank's 2018 survey. And two in three consumers believe putting money aside brings them more happiness than spending it.
“The enjoyment of saving money outweighs the instant gratification of impulsive spending for most,” said Ravi Kumar, head of CIT's direct bank. “This finding suggests that saving can be a fundamental tool to feeling satisfied about one's financial situation, or alternatively, be a source of stress if goals fall short.”
Nearly half of the respondents indicated that they constantly worry about money. In fact, 32% said they lose sleep over money woes; 20% said they are worried about money in their relationship; 15% are concerned about their job; and 4% said they fear they are missing out socially.
And while a majority (80%) of consumers are covering their monthly expenses, only half are happy with their current financial situation, the survey found.
Interestingly enough, 39% of respondents chose being debt-free as the top condition for defining financial security. Twenty-four percent define it as saving for long-term needs like retirement and college; 17% said it was spending freely; and 10% said it was saving for short-term expenses such as vacations or buying a car.
When asked what they would do to save $100 each month, the top strategy consumers are willing to adopt is to cut some discretional spending, such as shopping (named by 43%). Adding an extra source of income was next with 27% naming it, followed by reducing other more specific saving priorities like retirement (17%).
Additionally, the survey noted that Gen Z, millennials and Gen Xers are twice as likely as baby boomers and seniors to say they would need an additional source of income to save $100 or more.
The online survey, conducted March 29 to April 10, included 2,005 U.S. adults aged 18 and older.