A new study from NerdWallet finds that 75 percent of people with a savings goal are saving money regularly, compared to just 62 percent of those without one—a stark reminder that having a clear target transforms saving from a vague intention into consistent action.
The research, conducted online by The Harris Poll from March 3-5, 2026, surveyed more than 2,000 adults, including over 1,100 employed Americans. It reveals a simple but powerful truth: setting a goal works. According to the study, two-thirds (66%) of employed Americans regularly set aside money from their income in a bank account each month, yet the presence or absence of a specific target dramatically shifts whether they follow through.
Kate Ashford, lead wealth writer at NerdWallet, emphasizes the psychological dimension of this pattern. “Saving a little at a time is usually easier than trying to save in big chunks,” Ashford says. “Think about how psyched you’d be at your next gift-giving holiday if you set aside $100 a month between now and then. Setting up an automatic transfer to a savings account that happens once or twice a month makes it seamless.” The principle behind this advice is that small, regular wins build confidence and reinforce the habit.
The most commonly cited active savings goal among respondents was an emergency fund, with nearly half (45%) of Americans actively saving for one. About one in three (34%) are saving for a vacation. These varied targets show that goals don’t need to be massive or long-term to drive behavior change—they simply need to exist.
Despite the clear benefit of goal-setting, most Americans (70%) don’t have savings goals for 2026, according to the NerdWallet study. This gap represents a missed opportunity. Academic research has long suggested that people who set savings goals save more, yet many skip this step entirely. Additionally, 22% of employed Americans don’t even know how much of their income they’re regularly saving, making it impossible to track progress or adjust course.
The study also identified barriers to saving. Debt payments are the most common obstacle, eating up cash flow and leaving less room for new savings. Insufficient income and spending on essentials rank as the next most frequent reasons Americans struggle to save. For those constrained by these pressures, the message is clear: even small savings matter. Starting with a modest goal—$25 or $50 per month—is better than waiting for perfect financial conditions that may never arrive.
Among those who do save, 44% report setting aside at least 20% of their take-home pay after taxes and retirement contributions. That rate outpaces the national personal savings rate, which stood at 4.5% in January 2026 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The difference reflects the fact that NerdWallet’s survey captures employed Americans, typically better positioned to save than the broader population that includes retirees and the unemployed.
Sources
- NerdWallet — Study conducted March 3-5, 2026, by The Harris Poll; 75% of people with savings goals save regularly; 62% without goals save regularly; 66% of employed Americans regularly save; 70% lack savings goals for 2026; 45% saving for emergency fund; 34% saving for vacation; 44% save at least 20% of take-home pay
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Personal savings rate of 4.5% in January 2026
