Job Security Fears Delay Major Purchases Among 35% of Americans

At least 35% of U.S. workers are postponing or canceling major purchases like cars and homes due to mounting job insecurity, according to a Redfin survey. The trend is most pronounced among those earning $50,000 or less, with 57% deferring big-ticket spending.

Economic anxieties—including AI disruption, corporate performance concerns, and tariff uncertainties—have left 37% of employees more fearful about their jobs than six months ago. Consumers are prioritizing financial flexibility over long-term commitments, a shift reshaping spending patterns across income brackets.

Redfin's Chen Zhao notes the palpable unease as companies adapt to economic volatility: "Workers are watching their employers navigate uncertainty and reacting defensively." The data reveals 9% have outright canceled planned purchases, while 30% are accelerating spending to hedge against potential instability.