# Financial anxiety among UK adults

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/financial-anxiety-among-uk-adults
> Updated: 2026-08-16T23:01:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Research commissioned by the thinkmoney app highlights widespread financial anxiety among adults in the United Kingdom. An initial survey found that 65% of UK adults spend an average of 22 hours per week worrying about money, with those in lower-income households reporting significantly higher levels of concern. The study noted that financial stress led many to cut back on essentials like food or heating and prevented many from making future plans.

Subsequent findings indicate that this anxiety extends into leisure time, specifically affecting holidaymakers. Many travelers struggle to disconnect from financial concerns during breaks, with approximately 42% reporting they spend most of their trip trying to disconnect or never fully manage to do so. Regional data shows varying levels of difficulty in setting aside money worries during travel, with travelers from the West Midlands, East Midlands, and London reporting higher struggles to shake off concerns compared to those from Wales.

## Claims

- Only 27% of holidaymakers with financial concerns manage to switch off immediately. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The proportion of holidaymakers unable to switch off from money worries rises to 38% by the end of the first day. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- It typically takes up to three days for the majority of travelers to leave financial concerns behind. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- 66% of holidaymakers from the West Midlands are unable to shake off money worries after the first day. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-16: UK holidaymakers struggle with financial anxiety during breaks

A study by thinkmoney reveals that many UK holidaymakers struggle to escape financial anxiety during trips, with many requiring up to three days to successfully switch off from money worries.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-holidaymakers-struggle-with-financial-anxiety-during-breaks

### 2026-07-26: UK adults spend average 22 hours a week worrying about money, survey shows

A thinkmoney‑commissioned survey shows 65% of UK adults worry about money for an average of 22 hours weekly, with low‑income households facing double the stress of wealthier ones.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-adults-spend-average-22-hours-a-week-worrying-about-money-survey-shows

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Cite as: Financial anxiety among UK adults. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/financial-anxiety-among-uk-adults