CFP Board Survey Finds Most Americans Skip Social Events Due to Cost — and They Aren’t Good at Talking About It

While 83% of Americans say they're comfortable talking about money with at least one person, most stay silent when it comes to admitting financial struggles to others they are close to, including family, friends and co-workers. CFP Board's latest research, Financial FOMO: A Survey About Money and Relationships, reveals that 67% of Americans have declined social events in the past two years primarily due to cost — yet 56% never told their loved ones that money was the reason. From trips with friends (30%) to family holiday gatherings (23%) and weddings (13%), Americans are missing major life events due to financial pressures they feel they can’t discuss openly.

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“Too many Americans are carrying financial stress alone,” said CFP Board CEO K. Dane Snowden. “That quiet burden can affect relationships, confidence and the ability to fully show up. When people have a clear plan and a trusted CFP^® professional, financial conversations become less about fear and more about possibility. They gain confidence to be transparent, to make thoughtful choices, and to build a life where financial security and meaningful connection strengthen one another rather than compete.”

Financial “FOMO” Fuels Comparison Culture

Americans are experiencing financial “FOMO” — the “fear of missing out” on the lifestyles others appear to be living — with 82% saying the financial situations of close friends or family have affected how they think about their own finances. The majority (85%) also feel out of sync with some aspects of their friends’ finances, including housing purchases (28%), travel (28%), career progress (26%) and retirement savings (29%).

As traditional life milestones increasingly unfold at different speeds, financial disparities are creating new sources of tension within social circles. Younger Americans (ages 25-40) are more likely than older peers to feel out of sync with friends on housing (35% vs. 23%) and career progress (31% vs. 22%), and they're nearly twice as likely to experience financial conflict with their friends as a result (28% vs. 16%). Meanwhile, single Americans are more likely than married people to conceal cost concerns when declining events (63% vs. 55%).

When Money Talks Fail — and Why the Silence Persists

While 9 in 10 Americans (89%) have had uncomfortable discussions about money, only 30% say these conversations significantly strengthened a relationship, while 12% say the conversation actually made things worse.

Eighty-one percent of Americans intentionally avoid discussing some money topics with family and friends. Half (51%) believe finances should remain private, 40% say differing money values create friction, 40% feel embarrassed about their financial situation and 34% fear conflict — barriers that persist across age groups.

“The research suggests some money taboos are cultural rather than generational, meaning they won’t disappear on their own,” said Kevin Roth, Ph.D., Managing Director of Research at CFP Board. “Comfort discussing money doesn't guarantee skill in navigating these conversations. Professional financial guidance can provide the structure, neutrality and long-term perspective that help turn potential conflict and uncertainty into productive planning that strengthens relationships.”

CFP^® Professionals Offer a Trusted Path Forward

When seeking financial advice, Americans trust financial advisors (43%) more than any other resource — including friends and family (32%), banks (29%), financial websites (29%) or social media (12%). In fact, nearly 3 in 4 Americans (71%) say they would feel comfortable discussing financial topics with a trusted, independent financial advisor if they had access to one.

CFP^® professionals are uniquely positioned to help Americans navigate the intersection of money and relationships. Backed by rigorous training, ethical standards and a commitment to clients' best interests, they provide the expert guidance needed to facilitate difficult conversations, align financial decisions with personal values, and build strategies that support both security and connection.

To find a CFP^® professional who can help you navigate money conversations and financial decisions with confidence, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org.

Download and read the full Financial FOMO: A Survey About Money and Relationships report here.

METHODOLOGY

From January 12–13, 2026, CFP Board’s Research team sent a 14-question survey to randomly selected Americans aged 25 to 64 nationwide, as sourced by online survey provider Alchemer. The panel’s design ensures that the data collected reflects a reliable demographic and geographic representation of the U.S. population. The survey generated 1,138 responses, the data from which serve as the basis of this report and are subject to a sampling error of +/- 2.9% at the 95% confidence interval.

ABOUT CFP BOARD

CFP Board is the professional body for personal financial planners in the U.S. CFP Board consists of two affiliated organizations focused on advancing the financial planning profession for the public’s benefit. CFP Board of Standards sets and upholds standards for financial planning and administers the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® certification — widely recognized by the public, advisors and firms as the standard for financial planners — so that the public has access to the benefits of competent and ethical financial planning. CFP^® certification is held by more than 107,000 people in the U.S. CFP Board Center for Financial Planning addresses diversity and workforce development challenges and conducts and publishes research that adds to the financial planning profession’s body of knowledge.

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67% of Americans have declined social events in the past two years primarily due to cost — yet 56% never told their loved ones that money was the reason.