A new Bank of America survey captures a troubling reality. American workers are drowning in financial stress. Only 47 percent of employees now say they feel financially well, down five points from earlier this year. At the same time, 85 percent of consumers report carrying personal debt, and more than a quarter are actively seeking help with savings, debt repayment, or basic financial wellness. Behind the numbers are familiar pressures. Inflation has been grinding on households for 18 months. Groceries, gas, and rent cost more while wages have stayed largely stagnant. A car repair or medical bill can throw entire budgets off balance. Workers are not just paying bills. They are playing defense, trying to avoid the next hit. It is easy to see why financial well-being has dropped. When most of the country is in debt and emergency savings cannot cover even a minor setback, stress becomes the baseline. Job insecurity only adds to the weight. This year has been filled with layoff headlines, hiring freezes, and speculation about downturns. Workers feel it in their bones, and it shows up in how they plan, or fail to plan, for the future. Financial health and job security are closely connected. If you feel confident in your role and stage of career, stress lessens. Many workers do not feel that confidence. Over the past year, more people have quietly explored new positions or industries that offer stability. Some will make the move. Many will stay in place but carry their stress with them. The systemic solutions are complex. Wage growth that matches cost of living is one. Affordable housing is another. Healthcare that does not drain paychecks also matters. Real investment in financial education would make a difference. These solutions take time and political will. Workers cannot wait for Washington to fix everything, and they know it. That leaves the personal side. The only real defense is planning. Budgeting, even in small amounts, creates room to breathe. Saving little by little, even when it feels impossible, builds confidence. The act of preparing is just as important as the amount you prepare with. When you know your numbers, you control more of your future. Stress is not going away. Costs will rise. Debt will remain. Those who build the habit of daily improvement put themselves in a stronger position. Getting two percent better each day at a skill, a trade, or a financial habit compounds into real resilience. Six months from now, you will thank yourself for the progress. A year from now, you will stand in a different place than you do today. The Bank of America survey is a snapshot, not a prophecy. It shows where people are right now. It does not lock in the outcome. Workers can change their trajectory through preparation and growth, even in a weaker job market. Debt stress has become a national story. It is personal, systemic, and cultural all at once. The challenge is not only to recognize it but to act on it, individually and collectively. The more we prepare, the stronger we become, and the less fragile the workforce will be in the face of whatever comes next. Sources Bank of America, Workplace Benefits Report (2025)