(BPT) - As the year winds down, new Empower research shows that Americans are taking stock of their finances: 54% say the cost of living rose in 2025, though close to a third feel more optimistic now than they did in January (28%). In December, specifically, 31% report feeling more financial stress than in other months, as a quarter find it difficult to balance holiday expenses with their financial goals (25%). Close to a quarter (21%) use December as a financial "checkpoint," and 21% believe the choices they make this month set the tone for the year ahead. One in 5 say meeting with a financial professional before year-end is important.

What people did with their money in 2025

Even as inflation pressures linger, close to 2 in 5 Americans prioritized their financial future by building e

See Full Page