FP Canada reveals that more Canadians track spending and boost savings while CFP pros help cut stress gaps
More Canadians say they feel stressed about money – but those who get professional financial planning advice report less stress, more sleep and greater confidence about the future.
According to FP Canada’s 2026 Financial Stress Index, money remains the leading source of stress for 43 percent of Canadians, ahead of health (21 percent), relationships (17 percent) and work (15 percent).
The report shows that 85 percent of Canadians are now taking steps to manage financial stress, up from 82 percent in 2025.
Tracking expenses is the most common action (42 percent), followed by paying down debt (33 percent) and creating a budget (29 percent).
Saving is gaining importance: 33 percent say they have saved more this year, compared to 29 percent in 2025.
Zena Amundsen, CFP and owner of Astra Financial Services in Regina, Sask., said “Canadians are taking matters into their own hands, while juggling everyday expenses like groceries and huge purchases like a home.”
She described it as “encouraging to see more Canadians choosing to save their hard-earned dollars” and said this shows they are trying to improve their financial well-being.
Everyday costs sit at the core of that stress.
Groceries are the most significant pressure for households, cited by 64 percent of respondents.
Concerns about inflation have eased, dropping to 55 percent in 2026 from 63 percent in 2023, but worries about rising housing prices have increased from 20 percent in 2023 to 25 percent in 2026.
Financial stress looks different across life stages.
Among younger Canadians aged 18–34, 47 percent say saving for major purchases is a source of financial stress.
Job and income stability concerns 38 percent, and 27 percent cite investing as a key stressor.
To relieve pressure, 42 percent of younger Canadians say they saved more, and 35 percent created a budget.
Canadians aged 35–54 report stress centred on ongoing obligations and long-term goals.
Almost half (48 percent) say bill payments and day-to-day expenses cause financial stress. Saving enough for retirement worries 46 percent, while 39 percent point to debt.
In this group, 40 percent say they paid down debt to reduce their financial stress.
Working with a planner stands out as a clear differentiator in the results.
Canadians who work with a financial professional, such as a Certified Financial Planner professional or a Qualified Associate Financial Planner professional, are less likely to name money as their top source of stress (34 percent) than those who do not (48 percent).
They are also less likely to lose sleep over finances (41 percent) compared to 55 percent of those who do not work with a planner.
Respondents who work with a financial planner feel more hopeful about their financial future than they did a year ago: 57 percent say they feel more hopeful, versus 47 percent of those without professional support.
Tashia Batstone, president and CEO of FP Canada, said “Canadians are feeling financial pressures that continue to cause them stress.”
She said the report shows that Canadians who work with a professional financial planner report different levels of financial stress, and that CFP professionals and QAFP professionals serve people with a range of financial needs.
The 2026 Financial Stress Index is the ninth edition of the national survey conducted by Leger.
