Ally report shows only 15% of Americans say joy is easy to afford

Ally Financial launched the Cost of Life Today research platform, introducing its annual Joy Index to track financial well-being.

• Survey of 5,000 U.S. adults found 79% experience joy at least monthly, while 15% say joy is easy to afford.
• The average Joy Index score was 54.2 out of 100, placing consumers in “Joy Pressured” territory amid weak affordability.
• Affordability scored 11.8 out of 25, versus 16 out of 25 for experience, signaling limited financial flexibility for discretionary spending.
• Gen Z led monthly “joy” spending at 76%, averaged USD 295 per month, while 56% kept a dedicated budget.