Young Americans increasingly feel the financial system is stacked against them, pushing long-term goals further out of reach and forcing many into survival mode. A new survey of 2,000 Gen Z and Millennial adults, released today by Beyond Finance in partnership with leading financial literacy non-profit Operation HOPE, reveals a widening gap between traditional financial guidance and the economic realities younger generations face, with 7 in 10 indicating wealth is out of reach as survival spending becomes the norm.

As April's Financial Literacy Month spotlights the importance of financial education, the findings point to a broader challenge of whether the traditional path to financial success still works to achieve the "American Dream," and the potential need to write a new one.

Key survey insights include:

Financial Rules That No Longer Add Up

A growing share of Gen Z and Millennials feel the financial system is working against them, not for them.

• Only 32% say the "American Dream" feels very realistic today
  
  
• 57% feel their generation was set up for financial failure
  
  
• 71% say wealth-building opportunities are becoming less achievable
  
  
• 68% believe their generation has been financially set back
  
  
• 65% say financial literacy places too much responsibility on individuals and overlooks the bigger economic picture
  
  
• 75% say financial knowledge alone won't make homeownership attainable

Despite these hurdles, traditional markers of success, especially homeownership, remain key aspirations, underscoring the growing gap between expectations and reality.

From Wealth-Building to Survival Mode

Rising economic pressures are shifting financial behavior from long-term planning to daily decision-making focused on immediate needs.

• 71% say a side hustle or additional income is required to keep up
  
  
• Nearly 80% report using "survival spending" tactics
  
  
• 32% have used Buy Now, Pay Later for essentials like groceries and utilities
  
  
• Nearly 1 in 3 describe themselves as "barely surviving" financially
  
  
• 26% would prioritize covering basic living expenses given a financial windfall
  
  
• More than 40% report challenges with saving, paying down debt, and maintaining financial confidence

These behaviors indicate a stronger focus on present stability, often at the cost of future planning.

A Call for New Financial Rules and Real-World Education

At the same time, many respondents question whether traditional financial advice and education are aligned with the realities they face today.

• Only 28% feel fully prepared by their education to make financial decisions
  
  
• 43% say older generations don't understand their financial challenges
  
  
• 68% say their generation talks more about getting rich than practicing good habits
  
  
• 80% support mandatory financial literacy education

This shift signals a broader change in financial identity, with success now defined by navigating an evolving and uncertain system rather than achieving traditional milestones.

Despite these challenges, Gen Z and Millennials remain engaged, adapting their expectations and redefining financial success for today's environment.

"We're asking these younger generations to follow financial rules that no longer fully reflect today's reality," said John Hope Bryant, founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE. "Budgeting alone won't close the gap. This is a moment to reimagine financial education, to equip people not just to survive, but to thrive, build wealth, and claim their rightful place in today's economy."

"Many people have lost trust in a system that was supposed to work for them, and with it, they've lost trust in themselves and their sense of what's possible," added Dr. Erika Rasure, chief financial wellness advisor at Beyond Finance. "The reality is, financial conditions have changed faster than the rules. Redefining hope isn't about asking people to try harder. It's about helping them create values and financial habits that reflect their reality, and rebuilding confidence through consistent, sustainable progress."

To help, Dr. Rasure offers insights and suggestions from her Beyond Finance client coaching sessions:

• Consistency is Key: Focus on small, repeatable actions, like contributing to an emergency fund, that create evidence of progress over time. These consistent steps help rebuild trust in your ability to influence your financial life and move forward with confidence.
• Stability Is Success: In today's environment, maintaining financial stability is a meaningful achievement. Paying bills, supporting your household, and keeping your life functioning are not minimums — they are wins. Recognizing stability as success helps shift the mindset from shame to progress and keeps people engaged.
• Redefine the Dream: Traditional markers of success may no longer feel attainable, and that's not your failure. It's a signal to redefine success on your own terms. Focus on goals that are realistic and meaningful today, whether that's reducing debt, increasing flexibility, or building consistency.
• Clarity Before Action: Instead of asking, "How can I do more?" start with "Where can I create breathing room?" and "What support can I access?" Hope grows when people see multiple paths forward, not just one rigid path.
• Self-Regulation Before Resolution: Financial stress can cloud decision-making. Before solving problems, take time to reset. Creating space for clarity helps shift decisions from reactive to intentional, and leads to better long-term outcomes.

To examine your money mindset further, take Operation HOPE's "How Lit are You?" quiz and explore  a free tips guide from Beyond Finance.

This survey was commissioned by Beyond Finance in collaboration with Operation HOPE, and conducted by QuestionPro, a third-party research company, from March 16 - 18, 2026, with a collective sample of 2,000 Millennial (born 1981 to 1996) and Gen Z adults over 18 (born 1997-2008) Americans. Full research findings are available upon request.