The average American spends nearly two and a half hours a day dreamscrolling, which involves looking at dream purchases or things they would like to own in the future. A recent poll of 2,000 U.S. adults showed that 71% of respondents find this habit to be motivating in reaching their financial goals, and more than two in five people spend more time dreamscrolling when the economy is uncertain, totaling to about 873 hours or nearly 36 days a year spent scrolling.
The survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of financial services company Empower revealed that half of respondents admit to dreamscrolling while on the job, with one in five of them spending between three and four hours a day multitasking at work. Gen Zers spend the most time dreamscrolling, averaging just over three hours per day, while boomers spend the least amount of time on this activity, at around one hour.
Americans are dreamscrolling for a variety of items, including clothing and accessories, home decor, furniture, vacation destinations, beauty products, and items for their pets. More than half of respondents currently have items saved in tabs or carts that they would like to purchase or own in the future, estimating the cost of these items to be around $86,593.40.
While 56% of respondents plan on buying something on their dream list before the year ends, 65% are optimistic that they will one day be able to afford everything on their list. However, nearly one in four people do not think they will ever be able to afford the majority of items on their dream list. Owning their dream purchases would make over half of Americans feel more financially secure, and close to half of them believe working with a financial professional would help them reach their goals.
Dreamscrolling has had a positive impact on Americans’ money habits, as respondents say they now better understand their financial goals as a result of this activity. While some respondents feel they have more work to do in terms of purchasing items on their dream list, top factors holding Americans back from achieving their dream purchases include rising prices, inability to save money, and growing debt.
In summary, dreamscrolling occupies a significant amount of time for the average American, with people spending nearly 36 days a year scrolling through their dream purchases. This activity motivates individuals to reach their financial goals, plan for the future, and avoid making unplanned purchases or going into debt. By better understanding financial goals through dreamscrolling, Americans hope to feel more financially secure and eventually afford everything on their dream list.
