The Financial Regrets Report: What Americans Wish They Did Differently

Used in 2 entries

For each citing entry, the verbatim excerpt and Likelier's calculation notes (how the source's number was converted to the lifetime-probability framing) are shown below. Click through to read the full claim ledger.

1. [1] Investing early Decision · inaction side

   Statistic

   43% of Americans say not investing earlier is the biggest financial mistake of their lives; respondents estimated $40,000 higher net worth had they started sooner

   “"Not investing earlier was the top reported financial mistake at 43%, followed by overspending (38%), having too much debt (29%), and not enough savings. On average, respondents estimated their net worth would be $40,000 higher today if they had avoided their biggest financial mistake. One in three believed they'd have $100,000 more."”

   Calculation notes

   Clarify Capital surveyed 1,000 Americans (average age 41). The 43% figure specifically captures regret about timing — not investing early enough — rather than regret about not investing at all. The $40K net worth gap is self-estimated and likely conservative for those who kept money in term deposits during a prolonged equity bull market.
   

   Source date: 2023-06-15 · Accessed: 2026-04-26

2. [2] Investing Decision · inaction side

   Statistic

   43% of Americans say not investing earlier is their biggest financial mistake; followed by overspending (38%), too much debt (29%), not enough savings (29%)

   “"The number one reported financial mistake was not investing earlier (43%), followed by overspending (38%), having too much debt (29%), and not enough savings (29%). 1 in 3 Americans believe their net worth would be $100K higher if they had avoided their biggest financial mistake."”

   Calculation notes

   Clarify Capital surveyed 1,000 US adults (avg age 41, 50/50 gender split). The 43% figure directly asks about regret for not investing earlier — this is a cleaner inaction-regret measure than the MagnifyMoney 77%, which may have been inflated by its "wish I'd started earlier" framing that includes people who did eventually invest.
   

   Source date: 2024-06-15 · Accessed: 2026-04-26