Middle-class households face new financial pressures in 2026—these three common money habits can quietly stall long-term wealth if left unchanged.

According to the Pew Research Center, approximately half of all American households are considered to be part of the middle class. This equates to roughly 165 million people. Typically, people in the ...

You’re making the right moves with your money — or so you think. You’ve worked hard to earn a solid, middle-class income. You prioritize saving. Budgeting has become a habit. You don’t splurge often.