Study: People are tracking spending more closely -- should you?

A NerdWallet survey by The Harris Poll finds that Americans are paying closer attention to their spending in 2026, driven first by rising costs and then by overspending awareness. More than four in five respondents (83%) cited higher prices and the cost of living as a reason to track spending more closely, and the article points to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing consumer inflation rising 3.8% year over year in April and 4.2% in May, the highest since May 2023. Nearly three-quarters (73%) said realizing they were spending more than expected also contributed. Two-thirds (66%) linked tighter tracking to having a specific savings or spending goal. The piece warns that attention alone can increase anxiety without small, concrete actions and suggests pairing tracking with steps like checking grocery lists or deals.