06/17/2026
Headlines vs. Reality
73% of Americans say they feel prosperous today.
At first glance, that might seem surprising given the constant headlines about inflation, housing costs and economic uncertainty.
But as I’ve been sharing in recent conversations, what’s happening in the broader economy doesn’t always reflect what’s happening in people’s personal financial lives.
In fact, many people feel good about the things they can control, like their relationships, their well-being and their financial progress, even if they feel less optimistic about the economy or politics overall.
That’s because financial progress isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, it’s paying down debt. For others, it’s building savings, investing for the future or simply feeling more confident and prepared than they did a year ago.
I see this every day in my work. Progress is personal, and it often happens quietly, without making headlines.
Sometimes, the best way to measure how far you’ve come is to step back and look at your own journey.