financial wellness
Financial Literacy 101
Financial Wellness
(Family Features) Financial anxiety is on the rise in the United States, making financial literacy – simply put, the ability to understand and effectively utilize various money management practices including budgeting, investing and saving among others – as important as ever.
In fact, 36% of the U.S. general population feel anxious about their current financial situations with 26% feeling strained, according to research from World Financial Group. Taking steps to become more financially literate and manage money more effectively can help.
While there isn’t one “right” way to gain financial literacy, these steps can help grow your understanding and confidence around your finances.
- Understand Your Finances
Understanding your finances and how your financial decisions impact your future self is essential for making appropriate choices. Without this understanding of your income and expenses, you become vulnerable to making the wrong decisions and can put yourself at greater risk in the future.
To further expand your knowledge base, consider taking a financial literacy quiz to test your understanding of concepts such as compounding interest, inflation and risk diversification. If necessary, don’t be afraid to seek the advice of a professional before making important financial decisions. - Take Control and Plan with Confidence
To take control of short- and long-term financial priorities and aspirations, individuals should plan ahead. Establishing these goals is the first step to effective planning, whether lifestyle goals, hopes for retirement or specific items you wish to acquire, such as a new vehicle or home. This approach provides a target for building your savings and protection plans. - Prepare and Plan for Life’s Unexpected Events
If not adequately prepared, unexpected events can have catastrophic impacts on household finances. For example, having to leave the workforce early due to illness could mean years of lost earning power, which could impact your short- and long-term priorities and aspirations. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure backup plans, such as a retirement account or life insurance that includes income protection if unable to work, are in place, if the unexpected happens. This “cushion” can contribute to greater confidence in your future financial outlook and stronger feelings of security going into waves of economic uncertainty.
Test your literacy to assess your understanding and confidence around finances at WorldFinancialGroup.com.
Photo courtesy of iStock
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World Financial Group
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Consumer Corner
65% of US homeowners say owning a home costs more than expected. Staying put is getting harder, too.
(Tiffany Miller) For years, homeownership was pitched as the finish line. Save for the down payment, buy the house and build wealth over time. According to new research from Unlock, a company that helps homeowners access the equity in their home, 75% of U.S. homeowners say they have no plan to buy or sell a home this year. That sounds like stability. But as the research reveals, it is starting to feel more like stagnation.
Owning a home turns out to cost more than people thought it would, according to the survey of 2,003 homeowners in the United States, conducted in January 2026. The research found that 65% of U.S. homeowners say it is more expensive than what they expected before they bought. The math goes past the mortgage. Nationwide, property taxes climbed 41% between 2018 and 2025, according to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, with home insurance, maintenance and everyday costs piling on top.
Homeowners are cutting back in places that used to be off-limits. Twenty-two percent of respondents reported putting less into retirement to keep up with the cost of owning their home. Another 33% are putting off bigger purchases, like a car. These are not inconsequential cuts. They are cuts to the financial goals owning a home is supposed to make easier in the first place, like building a nest egg, growing an emergency fund or saving for the future.
The pressure shows up in the present, too. Nearly a third of homeowners have less than $1,000 in emergency fund savings. More than half say day-to-day expenses are causing significant stress in their lives.
It is not only about cutting back or feeling stressed about day-to-day expenses. The survey found 19% of U.S. homeowners say they would rather double their commute time to work than take on another monthly payment. For homeowners already paying a mortgage, insurance, taxes and maintenance, another bill ranks below an extra hour in traffic.
Costs are only half the story. Homeowners are also sitting on real wealth, though they cannot always say how much. The survey found almost half of U.S. homeowners are not sure how much equity they have built up in their home, including 28% who say they are not sure how to find out. The average mortgaged home in the U.S. holds about $299,000 in equity, according to Cotality, a data and analytics company.
Ask homeowners how they feel about having equity in their homes and the answers do not quite line up. Sixty percent say the option to leverage home equity provides an extra level of financial security. Yet 48% say they view home equity as long-term wealth and retirement security, and would only leverage it as a last resort. They want the option there. They just do not want to use it.
The result is a kind of holding pattern. Homeowners are paying more, staying put in homes they cannot easily afford to leave and sitting on wealth they would rather not disturb. The usual options come with a catch. Selling means moving. Refinancing means giving up a low locked-in mortgage rate. According to Realtor.com, 51.5% of outstanding U.S. mortgages still carry rates at or below 4%. Taking out a home equity line of credit or home equity loan adds another monthly payment. Each option asks for something homeowners are trying to avoid. The open question is whether the standard options are still the only options. What used to look like a financial finish line is starting to look more like a treadmill.
Methodology
Unlock commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,003 homeowners in the United States. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. Fieldwork was conducted from Jan. 24-30, 2026. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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Unlock
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Understanding and Improving Business Credit Can Support Financing Readiness, Credibility and Long-Term Confidence
(Feature Impact) Nearly 60% of small business owners seek financing each year, according to the Federal Reserve’s 2025 Small Business Credit Survey, but only about 2 in 5 secure the full amount they request.
It’s not uncommon for business owners to be caught off guard by a credit issue just when they’re poised to take their companies to the next level. To help business owners better understand how business credit can aid growth, consider this information from Chase for Business.
The Hidden Impact of Business Credit
Many owners miss the importance of business credit – 74% of business owners have used personal credit cards or lending products that rely on their personal credit score for business purposes, according to a May 2026 Chase small business survey. However, business credit can play an important role in accessing capital, managing operations and planning for the future. Without a clear understanding of their business credit profiles, owners may miss out on opportunities or face unexpected challenges when seeking loans, negotiating with suppliers or expanding their businesses. That’s why it’s essential for small business owners to proactively monitor and manage their business credit.
Managing Business Credit
To help millions of small business owners better understand and manage this part of their financial picture, Chase for Business introduced Business Credit Journey, a complimentary digital tool designed to help owners establish, monitor and improve their business credit.
The tool brings together credit monitoring, score insights, actionable steps and educational resources in one place. It builds on the American Dream Initiative, a nationwide effort to help power 10 million small businesses, offering resources beyond basic credit tracking to help owners spot issues early, understand what’s driving their scores and take action before opportunities slip away.
“Small business owners aren’t overlooking business credit, they just can’t see it clearly or aren’t sure how to use that information,” said Jameson Troutman, head of product for Chase for Business. “This tool is meant to change that, offering owners an easier, accessible way to understand their business credit scores and empowering them to take action over time.”
Why Business Credit Matters
Business credit is only one part of the financing equation, but it can influence how prepared a business is for future opportunities, help owners make informed decisions and avoid surprises when it matters most.
Why Business Credit Can be Easy to Overlook
For many owners, business credit is easy to put off while managing the daily demands of running their businesses. That can be especially true when they’re focused on growth, and nearly 80% of business owners expect growth in 2026, according to Chase’s Business Leaders Outlook.
In that environment, business credit may not get attention until a financing need or growth opportunity puts it into focus. That often means businesses confront their credit profile only when it starts to limit their options.
How Digital Tools Can Help
Created to make business credit easier to understand and manage, the tool allows business owners to monitor their credit scores, see what is influencing them and receive insights and actionable steps tailored to their business profile. It’s designed to help owners stay on top of changes over time and take a more proactive approach to strengthening their business credit.
“Small business owners deserve resources that help them make more informed decisions,” Troutman said.
For many small businesses, credit only becomes visible when something depends on it. Having a clearer view earlier can change the decisions owners make long before that moment. Visit chase.com/business/creditjourney to learn more.
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Family
Where Wildfire Preparedness Falls Short: 5 Elements Often Missing from Evacuation Plans
While you may have a wildfire emergency plan in place, there may be key elements missing that can make a meaningful difference during an evacuation.
(Feature Impact) While you may have a wildfire emergency plan in place, there may be key elements missing that can make a meaningful difference during an evacuation. Real-world events continue to show small but critical gaps often create delays during evacuation and challenges in the hours and days that follow.
“Preparation isn’t just about having a bag by the door,” said Holly Sacks, director, Port UW and CAT Management at Mercury Insurance, a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, renters and commercial insurance. “It’s about being able to move quickly and confidently when conditions change. We see time and again that the difference between a smooth evacuation and a stressful one often comes down to a few overlooked details.”
In fact, research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) shows preparedness efforts are often uneven as many households focus on supplies while overlooking documentation, communication planning and other practical considerations that directly impact response time and recovery.
Wildfire behavior continues to evolve, with faster-moving fires and shorter evacuation windows becoming more common in many regions. IBHS research emphasizes that preparedness is not just about what households have, but how quickly and effectively they can act under pressure. Look beyond standard evacuation checklists with these commonly overlooked elements, backed by industry research and real-world claims experience, according to Mercury Insurance.
Medications and Health Information
Checklists of basic supplies often fail to account for prescription medications, dosage details and medical records. Even a short disruption can create health complications.
Pet Planning
Pets are frequently an afterthought in evacuation scenarios, but without carriers, food or a clear plan for transportation and shelter, evacuations can become delayed or complicated.
Backup Communication
Families relying on a single communication method may struggle to reconnect when wildfires disrupt cell service and internet access. Establish a secondary plan, including meeting points and out-of-area contacts.
Vehicle Readiness
Low fuel, unclear routes or unfamiliarity with alternate exits can slow evacuation during critical moments when plans overlook the basics of transportation.
Insurance Documentation
Homeowners and renters often assume they can retrieve policy information later, but access to policy numbers, coverage details and contact information can speed up claims and recovery. Digital backups or cloud access can help ensure this information is available when needed.
For more information and wildfire preparedness resources, visit MercuryInsurance.com/Resources/Fire.
Redefining Defensible Space with a Shift from Distance to Detail
As wildfire risks change, so does the playbook for protecting your home. Defensible space, long defined as a 100-foot buffer around a home, is being reshaped due to modern wildfire behavior driven by climate conditions and changing landscapes, increasing the speed, intensity and reach of fires.
Up to 90% of homes lost in wildfires are ignited by embers, not direct flame contact, which are travelling farther than expected – up to several miles – expanding risk beyond traditional fire zones. According to Sacks, as wildfire behaviors evolve, so should homeowners’ defense tactics.
Fire experts are emphasizing a more granular, zone-based approach to defensible space with a heightened focus on the immediate area surrounding the home. Update your strategy with these modern, evidenced-based steps recommended by Mercury Insurance:
- Prioritize “Zone 0:” The immediate perimeter 0-5 feet from your home is now considered the most critical line of defense. Remove anything combustible; even small items can ignite from embers and spread to the structure.
- Replace Combustible Materials Near the Home: Swap wood fencing, bark mulch and flammable landscaping for noncombustible alternatives like gravel, stone or concrete.
- Focus on Home Hardening: Previous guidance focused on vegetation clearing, but updated strategies encourage upgrading vents, roofing and gutters to reduce ember entry and accumulation, which is a leading cause of structure ignition.
- Increase Space Between Structures and Fuels: Fires are increasingly spreading from structure to structure, making it important to maintain separation between homes, fences, sheds and vegetation to reduce chain reactions during wind-driven events.
- Maintain Defensible Space Year-Round: Fire seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer, increasing the importance of ongoing maintenance rather than seasonal cleanup.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
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