(Zero Hedge)—Across the country, Americans are being forced to rethink major financial decisions in the face of rising costs, high interest rates, and ongoing economic uncertainty, according to Guardian Service.
In a recent survey of 1,000 people, 35% said they’ve delayed or canceled a big purchase this year—most commonly a home (22%) or a car (8%). Millennials (40%) and Gen Z (32%) were especially likely to put plans on hold. The leading causes? Widespread anxiety about the economy (63%), high interest rates (57%), and unaffordable prices (55%).
Some are shifting expectations entirely—12% have scaled back their “dream home” goals, and nearly 1 in 4 now see renting as a better financial move than buying in 2025.
These shifting priorities extend beyond big-ticket items to everyday protections like insurance. When budgets are stretched, even essential coverage can feel expendable. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans (24%) said they’ve reduced coverage for a home or car to save money, and 29% reported downgrading or canceling at least one type of insurance over the past year.
Car insurance saw the largest cuts, with 15% scaling back and 8% switching from full coverage to liability only—moves that reduce costs but also increase financial risk.
The decisions behind these changes often stem from a desire to create short-term financial relief, even at the expense of long-term security. “A third of Americans said they would temporarily go without insurance to cover essential expenses,” and 1 in 5 would consider dropping coverage entirely if premiums continue to rise.
Guardian Service writes that at the same time, insurance is still widely valued—77% said car insurance is essential, and 57% said the same for renters or homeowners insurance. Trust, however, remains an issue, with only 37% saying they fully trust insurers to come through when something goes wrong.
The study is clear: as Americans adjust their budgets and weigh tough trade-offs, they’re showing a clear willingness to prioritize immediate needs over long-term plans.
At Last, a Company With Integrity in the Gold IRA Industry
For several years, I’ve been vetting out precious metals companies in search of the best. I believe in gold and silver but it’s hard to find integrity in the Gold IRA industry. The vast majority operate with shady tactics and gigantic spreads that take advantage of Americans who simply want to protect their life’s savings.
I’ve found a handful that I like and I’ve worked with some of them. By no means would I “unrecommend” them because, again, I vetted them out and found them to be above the fold. Unfortunately, it isn’t hard to be better than the rest when the rest are so darn awful.
After years of searching, I finally found a company that truly operates with integrity. Augusta Precious Metals has three important attributes that set them far above the competition:
- Non-Commissioned Sales Team: I cannot stress how important and unique this is. With just about every other company in the Gold IRA industry, the sales teams make commission from every account they open. This means they steer their clients toward the gold and silver products with the highest commission. With Augusta Precious Metals, the team is solely focused on putting the best gold and silver for their clients into their IRA. They get paid to serve the best interests of the Gold IRA client, NOT their own commission pay.
- Incredibly Low Fees: Most Americans would be shocked if they knew the spread other Gold IRA companies charge. Augusta charges just 5% versus up to 45% elsewhere.
- No Pressure, No Gimmicks: There’s an understanding among most in the Gold IRA industry that fear and pressure is the way to go. Augusta Precious Metals takes a sober approach when working with clients because they hold integrity in the highest possible regard. This is why they don’t offer gimmicks like “free” or “bonus” silver. It’s also why they do not apply pressure tactics to get quick sales. Their educational and transparent approach to doing business is exceedingly rare in the Gold IRA industry.
