Survey: Many consumers delayed essential purchases of $300 or more last year
A majority of consumers delayed an essential purchase in 2025 due to ongoing financial pressures.
Two-thirds (66%) of respondents delayed a purchase or service costing $300 or more in 2025 due to their financial situation, according to Snap Finance’s latest consumer survey, Closing the Credit Gap: 2026 Outlook Study. The purchases delayed most often included auto repairs, major appliances, and medical and dental care. The rate rose to 86% among consumers with credit scores below 670 and 75% among Gen X households.
While 72% of respondents in the survey said they handled their finances well in 2025, 62% reported living paycheck to paycheck. In 2025, 51% of respondents applied for new financing to cover major purchases.
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“These findings point to a widening gap between how consumers feel about their financial discipline and the flexibility they actually have when unexpected or essential expenses arise,” said Ted Saunders, CEO of Snap Finance. “Households are prioritizing responsibility, but the margin for error has become increasingly thin. For retailers, that gap shows up at checkout. The ability to offer flexible financing can determine whether essential purchases move forward or continue to be postponed.”
Snap Finance’s survey found that consumers are cautiously optimistic about the future of their finances. More than half (53%) expect their financial situation to improve in 2026, while 43% anticipate relying more on credit or financing to make ends meet.
Inflation remains the dominant concern for consumers, cited by two-thirds (67%) of respondents, followed by worries about unexpected expenses at 48% and potential job loss at 44%.
“What stands out in this data is not reckless borrowing, but selective, purpose-driven use of financing options by credit-challenged consumers,” said Rob Brown, VP of research and insights at Snap Finance. “Consumers are delaying purchases for both needs and wants, but they often turn to financing for essential expenses like auto repairs and appliances.”
Snap Finance surveyed more than 1,400 U.S. household financial decision makers in December 2025 for its report.
