Studies and Data Analysis

Economic and personal finance statistics, studies and data analysis from across NerdWallet.

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.

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In the spotlight

2024 Cost of Beauty Report

Published on June 11, 2024, we examined Americans' spending on beauty products, services and procedures:

“Spending on beauty products and services can be fun and enjoyable, even helping shoppers feel a boost of confidence and joy. But it may also have a dark side. Spending more than you can comfortably fit into your budget can lead to financial stress and, in some cases, long-term debt.”

- Kimberly Palmer, NerdWallet personal finance expert

Our nationally-representative survey found:

  • 15% of Americans who've made beauty-related purchases for themselves paid with a credit card that they didn’t pay off by the due date and 9% used “buy now, pay later” services.

  • 11% of Americans think cosmetic procedures are a good financial investment — they think looking better will be an asset to their career.

  • 75% of Americans say social media has made beauty spending much worse, according to the survey.

  • 31% of Americans consider at least some of the beauty products and services they buy as essential in their budget.

Read the report from Erin El Issa, here.

The latest

Recent economic commentary

Elizabeth Renter, Senior Economist

"Recently, we’ve finally begun to see signs that the U.S. consumer is wavering in their spending vigor. Retail sales have decreased and consumer spending has slowed. While this could be good news in that cooler demand means less fuel for the inflation fire, it also means a greater number of households are feeling the pinch."

June 12, 2024

Elizabeth Renter is available for media interviews, discussing economic and data topics. Contact [email protected].

The latest columns from Elizabeth Renter

Trending chart

An analysis of first-time home buyer affordability found an old rule of thumb — that looking at homes priced at three times your income can guide affordability decisions — hasn't been broadly useful in years. 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.

Media inquiries

For questions, including requests for data or interviews with our analyst and experts, please contact [email protected].

Survey snippets

Money and friendship survey data

  • Around two-thirds of Americans (66%) don’t feel comfortable talking with their friends about personal finance situations, such as income, debt and money problems.

  • More than 2 in 5 Americans (43%) say they’ve lent money to a friend and 20% of Americans have had to remind a friend to pay them back the money they owed.

  • Over a quarter of Americans (27%) say they’ve had to turn down plans with a friend because they couldn’t afford it. Gen Zers and millennials are more likely to say this than Gen Xers and baby boomers — 35% and 34%, vs. 25% and 20%.*

  • More than half of Americans (53%) say they generally don’t have arguments about money with their friends. Baby boomers are more likely to say this than younger generations — 64%, vs. 56% of Gen X, 45% of millennials and 43% of Gen Z.

*Generations defined: Gen Z (ages 18-27), millennials (ages 28-43), Gen X (ages 44-59), baby boomers (ages 60-78)

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of NerdWallet from April 15-17, 2024, among 2,082 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact [email protected].

Disclaimer

NerdWallet disclaims, expressly and impliedly, all warranties of any kind, including those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or whether the article’s information is accurate, reliable or free of errors. Use or reliance on this information is at your own risk, and its completeness and accuracy are not guaranteed. The contents in this article should not be relied upon or associated with the future performance of NerdWallet or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as indicated by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should” or “anticipates” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements may materially differ from NerdWallet’s presentation of information to analysts and its actual operational and financial results.

Weight loss purchases survey data

  • Close to half of Americans (45%) say they’ve made weight loss-related purchases for themselves, including prescription weight loss medications (11%) and weight loss surgery (5%).

  • About two-thirds of Americans who have made weight loss-related purchases for themselves (63%) used cash or debit cards to pay for them, while 38% used a credit card they paid in full by the due date. 

  • Some Americans who have made weight loss-related purchases for themselves took on debt — 14% used a credit card they didn’t pay in full by the due date and 12% used a buy now, pay later service.

  • Nearly a quarter of Americans who have made weight loss-related purchases for themselves (24%) used insurance to pay for it, while 10% used an FSA/HSA.

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of NerdWallet from April 15-17, 2024, among 2,082 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact [email protected].

Disclaimer

NerdWallet disclaims, expressly and impliedly, all warranties of any kind, including those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or whether the article’s information is accurate, reliable or free of errors. Use or reliance on this information is at your own risk, and its completeness and accuracy are not guaranteed. The contents in this article should not be relied upon or associated with the future performance of NerdWallet or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as indicated by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should” or “anticipates” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements may materially differ from NerdWallet’s presentation of information to analysts and its actual operational and financial results.

Financial scams survey statistics

  • 54% of Americans say at least one financial scam has been attempted against them in the past 2 years. 

  • 18% of Americans lost money in a financial scam in the last 2 years. 

  • Americans who lost money to financial scams over the past two years typically lost $325 (median), while about one-third (32%) lost $1,000 or more.

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of NerdWallet from April 2-4, 2024 among 2,061 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact [email protected].

Disclaimer

NerdWallet disclaims, expressly and impliedly, all warranties of any kind, including those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or whether the article’s information is accurate, reliable or free of errors. Use or reliance on this information is at your own risk, and its completeness and accuracy are not guaranteed. The contents in this article should not be relied upon or associated with the future performance of NerdWallet or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as indicated by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should” or “anticipates” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements may materially differ from NerdWallet’s presentation of information to analysts and its actual operational and financial results.