The Snap Finance 2026 Outlook Study: You, your money, and the year ahead
For Snap Finance’s 2026 Outlook Study, we asked people how they’re feeling about their money right now and their expectations for the year ahead. From delaying purchases to changing how they shop, the research reveals economic uncertainties and access to credit are shaping everyday financial decisions.
Key takeaways:
If your finances feel unstable right now, you’re not alone. Many people, especially those with less-than-perfect credit, say money feels uncertain today, yet plenty still feel hopeful about improving their situation in 2026.
Living paycheck to paycheck is a common experience. For many households, managing tight cash flow takes constant attention, with little room for unexpected changes.
Surprise expenses can force tough decisions. When savings are limited, even smaller unplanned costs can lead people to delay important needs like repairs, healthcare, or replacing essential appliances.
Financing can bridge the gap when savings aren’t enough. More people plan to rely more often on pay-over-time solutions in 2026. Lease-to-own financing, loan options, and credit card options through Snap Finance could be the answer if you don’t qualify for traditional financing.1
If you’re stressed about money right now, you’re not alone.
Many people are working hard and paying their bills, but still feel unsure about what comes next. Prices are high, and one unexpected expense could knock everything off balance, especially if you have less-than-perfect credit.
To better understand how credit influences shopping behaviors, personal finances, and how people are feeling about their money, Snap Finance surveyed people with credit scores above and below 670. What we found confirms that economic uncertainties, inflation, and access to credit are impacting consumers’ current finances and their expectations for the year ahead.
Here’s a look at what we learned in our Closing the Credit Gap: 2026 Outlook Study.
Many consumers feel financially stretched right now
Do your finances feel a little shaky? You’re in good company. One in four consumers described their current financial situation as unstable or very unstable. That number is much higher for people with lower credit scores (41%) and households earning $50,000 or less (54%).
Rising costs and credit challenges make things harder: 35% of consumers with lower credit scores said their financial situation got worse over the past year. Among consumers’ biggest concerns for the coming year are inflation (67%) and a potential job loss (44%).
Even with these challenges, many feel hopeful about the year ahead. Among all consumers, more than half expect their financial situation to improve in 2026. Just 12% expect it to get worse.
Living paycheck to paycheck is common
Does it feel like your paycheck is already spent before it hits your account? That’s the all-too-common reality of living paycheck to paycheck. To make it work, you have to know exactly when money is coming in – and how much – and when it needs to go out. There’s little room for error.
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of all consumers – and 83% of those with lower credit scores – said they live paycheck to paycheck.
Despite this pressure, 59% of those with lower credit scores told us they did a good job managing their finances in 2025 and the same number said their debt feels manageable.
Staying on top of bills can be tough
Paying bills on time isn’t always easy, especially when unexpected costs come up. Half of all consumers said they always pay their debts on time, but that drops significantly for those with lower credit scores.
Among those with credit scores below 670:
34% always pay their debts on time
46% usually or sometimes pay their debts on time
18% rarely or never pay their debts on time
These struggles often are connected to cash flow, not effort. When money is tight, one late payment can quickly turn into another, often resulting in a hit to your credit.
Unexpected expenses cause real stress
Could you cover an unexpected $300 expense today? For many people, the answer is no.
When asked if they could cover a $300 unexpected expense right now, 39% of consumers said they were “not so” or “not very” confident they could do it, compared to 11% of those with higher credit scores and 49% of households earning $50,000 or less.
This lack of a financial cushion is one reason people delay important purchases, even for essentials. That leads to difficult trade-offs, from driving on worn tires to doing without a working dishwasher.
Our study found consumers delayed many major purchases last year, including auto services and repairs, major appliances, dental care, medical needs, and home repairs. Vacations and travel were also commonly postponed.
When asked to think about expected major purchases in 2026, most said they’re focused on needs, not splurges. Top planned purchases for all consumers include auto services and repairs (40%), major appliances (33%), and furniture (22%). Are any of these items on your list?
Financing helps people get what they need
When costs are higher than your current budget allows and savings aren’t enough, financing can be a lifeline. Consumers with lower credit scores are the most frequent users of most types of financing, including store-specific credit cards, pay-in-4 plans, installment loans, and lease-to-own financing. The exception? General-purpose credit cards are more often used by those with higher credit scores.
In 2025, 29% of those with lower credit scores used lease-to-own financing, compared to 21% of all consumers and 16% of those with higher credit scores. Snap Finance is a leading provider of lease-to-own financing. Snap looks at more than credit scores, considering people for opportunities others may not.1
As costs continue to rise, here’s a breakdown of who expects to rely on financing more often in the coming year:
43% of all consumers
55% of consumers with credit scores below 670
36% of consumers with credit scores 670 or more
28% of households with income of $50K or less
How Snap Finance can help you get what you need
More than half of people with lower credit scores expect to use financing in 2026. But what happens if they don’t qualify for traditional financing?
Snap knows that life doesn’t always line up with perfect timing or perfect credit. We can help with lease-to-own financing, loan options, and credit card options designed for people with less-than-perfect credit. All credit types are welcome to apply with Snap.1
Whether you need furniture, appliances, electronics, or more, Snap can help you get it now and pay later. Here’s how it works:
Find a store near you or online with Snap’s Store Locator.
Apply in minutes, in-store or online. Get a decision in seconds with no hit to your FICO score.1
Use your approval amount at participating retailers, in-store or online.
Looking ahead with optimism and hope
Our survey shows that many consumers are juggling bills, delaying purchases, and relying on financing to make things work. At the same time, they’re hopeful, motivated, and planning for a better year ahead.
Many are making financial resolutions for 2026, taking positive steps to improve their finances. Here are the top five financial actions consumers plan to take in the coming year. You might already be planning some of these yourself.
Save more
Pay down debt
Shop around more for deals
Cancel subscriptions
Invest more
Budgeting is also a popular and effective way to manage money. Nearly two-thirds (67%) of consumers plan to create a budget this year, compared to 77% of those with lower credit scores. Even better? Nearly 8 in 10 of those who plan to budget told us they feel confident they can stick to it.
Managing your money doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to improve your existing game plan, making a commitment to budgeting, saving, paying down debt, spending less, and other actions can improve your current financial situation and lay the groundwork for a more secure future.
What steps will you take in 2026?
Move forward with Snap Finance
Join the thousands of other consumers who are getting what they need now with Snap Finance. Whether you need new tires, a new mattress, an updated appliance, or more, Snap is here to help you make it happen.
If you’re ready to learn more or explore financing options, visit Snap Finance’s How It Works page and snapfinance.com. Use the Snap Finance Store Locator to find participating retailers online or near you.
Snap Finance, its affiliates, and partners offer consumers a range of solutions, which may include lease-to-own financing, installment loans, retail installment contracts, and credit cards. Product availability may vary. For detailed information, visit snapfinance.com/legal/products.
1 Not all applicants are approved. While no credit history is required, Snap obtains information from consumer reporting agencies in connection with submitted applications, and your score with those agencies may be affected.