Studies and Data Analysis
This data hub brings together NerdWallet’s studies and unique analyses of proprietary and third party data across personal finance and economic topics. Our team of writers, experts and analysts design nationally representative surveys and robust methodologies to gain insight into household finances. These resources are available for use by traditional and online media, influencers and consumers.
In the spotlight
2025 Financial Goals Midyear Check-In Report
A recent study by Erin El Issa finds that 90% of Americans set financial goals for 2025, but nearly half of these goal setters (45%) either aren’t on track to hit their biggest money goal or they aren’t sure.
The data indicated:
Nearly 4 in 5 Americans with a 2025 savings goal (78%) say there’s something preventing them from achieving it. For many, this was increased expenses (41%) and/or decreased income (19%).
Many who set debt payment goals (81%) have barriers to accomplishing their aims. In addition to increased expenses (43%) and decreased income (24%), some are prevented from achieving their goals because of high interest rates (26%).
Nearly one-quarter (24%) of Americans paid off a credit card, 5% paid off a student loan, 5% paid off business-related debt and 10% paid off another type of debt in full in 2025. .
“Setting financial goals can make it easier to figure out the next steps we want to take. Making the goals specific and giving yourself a deadline also helps,” says Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet.
Read the report and see more of the data, here.
The latest
Recent economic commentary

Elizabeth Renter, Senior Economist
"If you’ve ever tried to get consensus around a table of 12 people, you know how difficult that can be. But when it comes to monetary policy, consensus among the voting members of the FOMC is the norm. Dissent happens rarely.
Sifting through the available economic data and determining how things not yet in the data could impact the economy is not easy work. Deciphering all of this information to determine how best to steer the economy through interest rates opens many potential paths for divergence. Remarkably perhaps, in most cases, the members align."
July 30, 2025
Elizabeth Renter is available for media interviews, discussing economic and data topics. Contact [email protected].
Additional recent work from Elizabeth
Trending chart
NerdWallet Senior Economist Elizabeth Renter recently wrote about the need for well-funded federal statistical agencies, and current threats to that funding and data integrity. Read about it here.
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Our standards
All of our data projects go through a rigorous process before publication. During the planning stage, editors, data writers and analysts, subject matter experts and communications specialists share perspectives and ask tough questions of all potential ideas. We use data from only the most reputable sources, and our methodologies and calculations are all checked and rechecked for sound rationale and accuracy. Our data-driven work also goes through a minimum of three rounds of editing before publication.
Our nationally representative surveys are conducted in collaboration with The Harris Poll. We've been working with The Harris Poll since 2014 to field statistically sound and robust surveys weighted to be representative within age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, household income, education, employment, marital status and size of household where necessary to align with their actual proportions in the population.
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For questions, including requests for data or interviews with our analyst and experts, please contact [email protected].
Survey snippets
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