NEW YORK, September 11 — TD released the findings of its 2026 Love & Money Survey on September 10, and the bottom line is this: money is shaping American relationships, family decisions, and major life milestones far beyond the household budget. The survey was commissioned by TD and conducted online by market research company Talker Research between June 29 and July 13, 2026.
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 respondents, including 250 in the major metro areas of New York City, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C., along with 500 general population respondents. The random double-opt-in survey was fielded by a Talker Research team whose members belong to the Market Research Society and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research.
What the survey found
Three-quarters of respondents have postponed major life goals because of money. Persistent affordability challenges are pushing important financial and personal goals onto hold, and younger generations are experiencing the broadest range of delays — from moving out of a parent’s home and buying their own home to getting married or starting a family. Money continues to create tension in Americans’ relationships and personal lives.
While nearly half of respondents reported being completely transparent about their finances, many avoid or hide financial decisions. More than two-thirds of respondents feel pressure to be perceived as wealthier than they are.
Families are stepping in as those milestones slip. Financial support is not ending when children become adults, according to the findings, with Americans both receiving and providing assistance across generations — helping cover everyday expenses, emergencies, and major milestones ranging from housing to transportation.
Where Americans are looking next
Despite the strain, TD reports Americans remain focused on strengthening their financial futures through greater savings, reduced debt, and improved financial planning. Many respondents say they feel stretched by the cost of living, yet they are actively looking for ways to build financial confidence through higher income, greater savings, reduced debt, and stronger financial knowledge. Asked what would most improve their financial confidence, respondents pointed to higher income, more savings, and financial education.
Investors will note the pattern: the pressure is real, but so is the intent to act on it. The article accompanying the survey was published on September 10, 2026, written by Catherine Achey for TD, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
It is for informational purposes only, based on information available as of August 2026, and subject to change. What to watch next is whether those stated intentions — more savings, less debt, more financial education — show up in actual household behavior as affordability pressures persist into the fall.
