Americans spend 2.5 hours per day ”Dreamscrolling” — and say it motivates them to reach financial goals. Over half say looking at dream purchases makes it easier
to be smart with money.
873
hours
36
days
In a year, that amounts to about 873 hours or nearly 36 days spent scrolling on the phone or computer. Gen Zers spend the most time dreamscrolling at just over three hours per day, while Boomers spend the least, clocking in around an hour.
The average American spends nearly two and a half hours a day “Dreamscrolling” — looking at dream purchases or things they’d like to one day own.
Time is Money » to many people, and a majority (71%) say dreamscrolling is time well spent, as the habit motivates them to reach their financial goals.
71
say dreamscrolling motivates them to reach their financial goals
Time spent dreamscrolling per day
3
hours
Gen Zers
1
hour
Baby
boomers
Dreamscrolling
%
Reduce motion
86
It would cost
to afford everything
in their shopping carts
Americans say looking at dream purchases makes it easier for them to be smart with their money (56%), avoid making unplanned purchases or going into debt (30%) and better plan to achieve their financial goals (25%).
Stacking up: 34% say they’ve purchased less things on their dream list than they should at their age, with Millennials feeling the most behind (39%). Top economic factors that may be holding some Americans back include rising prices (54%), inability to save money (29%) and growing debt (21%).
say owning their dream purchases would make them feel more financially secure
say working with a financial professional would help them reach their goals
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Survey methodology: This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 general population Americans was commissioned by Empower between March 28 and March 31, 2024.
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Half of respondents say they dreamscroll while on the job, and of those, 1 in 5 admit to spending between three and four hours a day multitasking while at work.
An investment in themselves
Americans see dreamscrolling as:
+
~
Be smart with their money
56%
K
$
9
Avoid making unplanned purchases or going into debt
30%
Better plan to achieve their financial goals
25%
Americans say looking at dream purchases makes it easier for them to:
54%
29%
21%
Top economic factors that may be holding some Americans back
Growing debt
Inability to save money
Rising prices
69%
67%
An outlet to envision what they want out of life
Nearly 7 in 10 see dreamscrolling as an investment in themselves (69%) and an outlet for them to envision what they want out of life (67%). Forty-two percent spend time picturing their ideal retirement, such as age, location and monthly expenses.
More than half (56%) currently have things left open in tabs and windows or saved in shopping carts that they’d like to purchase or own in the future. For those respondents, they estimate it would cost about $86,593.40 to afford everything they currently have saved.
34% say they’ve purchased less things on their dream list than they should at their age, with Millennials feeling the most behind (39%).
Economy effect: More than 2 in 5 respondents say they spend more time dreamscrolling when the economy is uncertain (43%).
Dreaming big: Half of Americans say they are spending more time dreamscrolling now than they did in previous years (45%) and plan on buying something on their dream list before this year wraps (56%).
Scroll on: 1 in 5 respondents look at homes or apartments (21%), and a quarter search for vacation destinations (25%), beauty or self-care products (23%) and items for their pets (19%). Others spend time looking at clothing, shoes and accessories (49%); gadgets and technology (30%); and home décor or furniture (29%).
Making it: While 65% are optimistic they’ll be able to one day to buy everything on their list, nearly 1 in 4 say they don’t think they’ll ever be able to afford the majority of items (23%).
More than half (51%) say owning their dream purchases would make them feel more financially secure, which may be why close to half say working with a financial professional would help them reach their goals (47%).
34%
43%
45%
of Americans say they are spending more time dreamscrolling now than they did in previous years
Plan on buying something on their dream list before this year wraps
56%
don’t think they’ll ever be able to afford the majority of items
23%
are optimistic they’ll be able to one day to buy everything on their list
65%
What are we scrolling for?
More than 2 in 5 respondents say they spend more time dreamscrolling when the economy is uncertain
Clothing, shoes and accessories
Gadgets and technology
Home decor or furniture
Vacation destinations
Beauty or self-care products
Homes or apartments
Items for their pets
49%
30%
29%
25%
23%
21%
19%
47%
51%
The average American spends nearly two and a half hours a day “Dreamscrolling” — looking at dream purchases or things they’d like to one day own.
Time is Money » to many people, and a majority (71%) say dreamscrolling is time well spent, as the habit motivates them to reach their financial goals.
“People see dreamscrolling as one way they're investing in themselves and planning for their future — whether that's when they want to retire, their dream home or next vacation,” says Rebecca Rickert, head of communications at Empower. “Our study shows that it helps people define their goals, make good decisions, and look forward to purchasing the things that bring them the most joy.”
Nearly 7 in 10 see dreamscrolling as an investment in themselves (69%) and an outlet for them to envision what they want out of life (67%). Forty-two percent spend time picturing their ideal retirement, such as age, location and monthly expenses.