Moneybox research reveals how fear, anxiety and inherited money beliefs are preventing millions of Brits from realising their financial potential in life.
Four in ten people (40%) – the equivalent of more than 19.5 million adults in the UK – believe they will never be able to significantly change their financial situation, effectively missing out on financial opportunities before they begin. This “wealth ceiling” is reinforced by fear of investing. Nearly three-quarters (72%) believe investing is simply “risky”, blinding many to the far bigger risk of not investing at all, while watching inflation slowly erode their savings.
Moneybox research reveals that for millions of people across the UK, money is not simply a tool for building the future they want, but a persistent source of anxiety that is actively holding them back from making financial progress.
Almost half of UK adults (48%) say uncertainty around money makes them anxious, while two in five (42%) feel overwhelmed when planning their financial future. More than a third (35%) want to feel more in control of their finances but admit they don’t know where to start. This lack of confidence can quickly, if not carefully managed, become a vicious cycle, with a further third (34%) saying they sometimes feel shame or guilt about not managing their money better – feelings that are likely to undermine their confidence even further.
When asked how money makes them feel, ‘anxious’ (25%) was top of the list. Although more positive emotions such as feeling‘confident’ (23%), ‘optimistic’ (21%) and ‘calm’ (16%) feature, they are consistently overshadowed by fear-driven thinking. One in five feel ‘stressed’ (21%) or ‘uncertain’ (20%). While people also feel ‘overwhelmed’ (16%), ‘nervous’ (16%) and ‘insecure’ (13%). This points to a growing risk of becoming too financially cautious, where worry and self-doubt lead to inertia.
Triggers of financial anxiety and stress:
- Rising costs of everyday expenses (e.g. bills, food, transport) – 50%
- Unexpected expenses or emergencies (e.g. car / home repairs, family emergencies) – 34%
- Not feeling on top of my financial situation – 22%
- Not having a financial safety net – 21%
- Comparing my financial situation to others – 19%
The research, based on a nationally representative survey of 4,000 UK savers, highlights a powerful psychological barrier to wealth-building: deeply ingrained mindsets that prioritise security and protection over long-term growth. It suggests this risk aversion is not accidental, but learned over time or inherited. Fewer than half (49%) say the money values or attitudes they learned from their parents had a positive impact on their financial futures. One in five (18%) grew up seeing their parents or guardians stressed about money, while one in six (17%) witnessed anxiety about finances. Two in five (41%) were also taught to “never live beyond your means” – a message intended to promote responsibility, but one that may have unintentionally encouraged overly cautious saving behaviours.
Professor of Psychology Adrian Furnham explains how we can challenge our thinking and better understand why we have the beliefs we do about money.
“This research shows that for millions of people, money is shaped by what we call ‘inherited inertia’. Our financial behaviour is deeply complex and often rooted in habits formed long before we opened our first bank account. From childhood pocket money, to observing the behaviour of parents, relatives and teachers, we absorb ‘money-grams’ — subconscious messages about money that stay with us into adulthood.
“It is telling that 82% of people admit their past experiences influence their current financial choices, and for many this results in a strong tendency towards risk aversion. For many of us, the task is to gently unlearn these unhelpful money-grams in order to reach our full financial potential.
“To do this, we must recognise that our brains are naturally wired for loss aversion. We feel the pain of a potential loss far more strongly than the pleasure of a possible gain. However, we can break this cycle by shifting the narrative from ‘risk’ to ‘opportunity cost’. The goal is to move from a mindset of ‘not losing’ to one of ‘winning’.
“Doing so can help rewire our relationship with money and lead to a more confident and secure long-term financial future.”
Brian Byrnes, Director of Personal Finance at Moneybox, says: “When fear dominates our thinking, we tend to protect rather than build, for example holding cash because it feels safe, even when we know it may not serve us in the long run. Changing that mindset and building financial confidence doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with understanding your full financial picture, from day-to-day budgeting to longer term planning and recognising that progress isn’t always linear and that setbacks aren’t a sign of failure.
For too long, getting financial advice has been costly and out of reach for many and most people have not known where to turn to for high quality guidance and support. But technological innovation, alongside important industry developments such as the Advice Guidance Boundary Review, means that providers like Moneybox can now help close that gap.
Through our expert led, AI powered Aurora engine, we can now help people feel less overwhelmed, make informed choices and plan for the future with greater confidence. We know that many people know the ‘right’ decisions in theory, but still struggle to act. That’s where timely prompts, practical guidance and accessible support can make a real difference.
Encouraging smart financial decisions shouldn’t be about pressure, but small, manageable steps that build confidence and a sense of control. Feeling secure about money is ultimately about making informed choices that balance today’s needs with future priorities, making long-term planning feel more accessible for everyone.”
ENDS
Methodology
Consumer research was conducted by Opinium on behalf of Moneybox from 4th to 10th December 2025 amongst 4,000 UK Adults, weighted to be nationally representative on the basis of age / gender / region.
According to ONS analysis of population estimates, there are 49,002,647 people 18 and over in the UK. 40% is 19,601,058 people.
About Moneybox:
Moneybox is an award-winning wealth management platform on a mission to give everyone the means to get more out of life. Launched in 2016 by Ben Stanway and Charlie Mortimer, Moneybox has grown rapidly and now supports a community of over 1.6 million customers with more than £18 billion in assets under administration. The platform brings together saving, investing, home-buying, and retirement services—alongside powerful tools and educational content—to help people build wealth throughout life, no matter their starting point.
Moneybox is a Which? Recommended Savings Provider 2024. Has been voted ‘Best First-Time Buyer App’ at the What Mortgage Awards three years running (2022, 2023, and 2024) and won the “Best Investment Provider” award at the British Bank Awards for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025).
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