Forgetfulness Survey Results

TopCashback surveyed more than 2,500 U.S. adults ages 18 and older about the financial impact of forgetfulness.

Q1. Which age category do you fit into?

• Under 18: 0.12%

• 18–25: 3.07%

• 26–35: 13.41%

• 36–45: 28.79%

• 46–55: 23.29%

• 56–65: 18.49%

• 66+: 12.84%
   

Q2. What is your annual income?

• Under $25,000: 13.84%

• $25,000–$49,999: 16.68%

• $50,000–$74,999: 18.04%

• $75,000–$99,999: 15.40%

• $100,000–$149,999: 18.47%

• $150,000+: 17.57%
   

Q3. What is your gender?

• Female: 64.24%

• Male: 34.40%

• Other: 1.36%
   

Q4. Has forgetfulness ever caused you to spend more money or miss out on savings?

• Yes: 90.73%

• No: 9.27%
   

Q5. In what ways has forgetfulness cost you money? (Select all that apply)

• Forgot to cancel a subscription or free trial: 70.64%

• Forgot to pay a bill on time: 48.29%

• Forgot to return an item before the return window closed: 57.21%

• Forgot to activate Cash Back before shopping online: 81.68%

• Forgot to use a coupon, promo code, rewards points, or gift card: 82.37%

• Forgot to redeem a rebate or special offer before it expired: 61.33%

• Forgot to attend or cancel an appointment (and paid a fee): 19.49%

• Forgot to file taxes or important paperwork on time: 11.74%
   

Q6. What’s the largest amount of money you’ve ever lost due to forgetfulness?

• Under $25: 20.26%

• $25–$100: 42.00%

• $101–$250: 19.83%

• $251–$500: 8.55%

• More than $500: 9.37%
   

Q7. Have you ever bought something because you forgot you already had it at home?

• Yes: 76.14%

• No: 23.86%
   

Q8. How often do you buy duplicates because you forgot you already had the item at home?

• Frequently: 8.65%

• Sometimes: 50.70%

• Rarely: 40.65%
   

Q9. Have you ever discovered a subscription you forgot you were paying for?

• Yes: 55.03%

• No: 44.97%
   

Q10. Have you ever kept a subscription because canceling felt like too much effort?

• Yes: 30.90%

• No: 69.10%
   

Q11. How do you feel when you realize forgetfulness costs you money? (Select all that apply)

• Annoyed: 70.96%

• Frustrated: 68.98%

• Embarrassed: 22.80%

• Stressed: 38.32%

• Guilty: 26.63%

• Indifferent: 3.00%

• Motivated to be more organized: 34.85%

• None of the above: 2.21%
   

Q12. Which forgotten financial oversight frustrates you the most?

• Missed Cash Back: 35.21%

• Late fees: 26.06%

• Missed returns/refunds: 15.52%

• Unused subscriptions: 11.45%

• Unused gift cards: 8.87%

• None of the above: 2.89%
   

Q13. What tools do you use to help prevent forgetting money-related tasks? (Select all that apply)

• Calendar reminders: 68.52%

• Budgeting apps: 10.43%

• Banking alerts: 25.77%

• Cash Back browser extensions: 31.88%

• None of the above: 15.98%
   

Q14. What do you think is the biggest reason you forget about opportunities to save money or avoid unnecessary costs?

• I'm too busy and it slips my mind: 38.25%

• There are too many accounts, subscriptions, and financial tasks to keep track of: 30.82%

• I receive too many emails and notifications: 13.64%

• Savings opportunities or deadlines aren't clearly communicated: 4.06%

• Rewards, Cash Back, and loyalty programs are too complicated: 6.40%

• Other: 6.84%
   

Q15. How often do you shop online each month?

• 0 times: 0.40%

• 1–3 times: 26.21%

• 4–7 times: 30.71%

• 8+ times: 42.68%
   

Q16. Which of these do you most commonly forget while shopping online? (Select all that apply)

• Activating Cash Back: 66.20%

• Applying promo codes: 46.31%

• Using store rewards points: 30.81%

• Comparing prices: 36.39%

• Checking for free shipping thresholds: 15.07%
   

Q17. Have you ever used Cash Back?

• Yes: 95.29%

• No: 4.71%
   

Q18. How often do you forget to activate Cash Back before making a purchase?

• Every time: 7.78%

• Sometimes: 56.33%

• Rarely: 31.42%

• Never: 2.75%

• I don't use Cash Back: 1.72%
   

Q19. Would you be more likely to use Cash Back if you were reminded to use it?

• Yes: 62.07%

• Maybe: 31.81%

• No: 6.12%
   

Q20. What would help you remember to earn Cash Back? (Select all that apply)

• Browser reminders: 32.83%

• Email alerts: 27.91%

• Mobile notifications: 25.75%

• Automatic activation: 59.22%

• Simpler checkout integrations: 34.23%

• Nothing would help: 5.04%