Greenlight, a family money and safety application, has published its annual family trends report, “Greenlight Glimmers,” revealing that U.
S. families managed over $2 billion through the platform in 2025 across more than 6.5 million households.
The report indicates that parents and children increasingly adopted a “builder mindset” in 2025, prioritizing earning, saving, and investing, which is projected to foster greater financial independence, confidence, and growth in 2026. This trend emerged despite a challenging economic year marked by uncertainty, inflation, and job market instability.
Investment activity among Greenlight’s young users saw significant growth, with kids and teens investing over $70 million, a 65% increase year-over-year. Recurring automated investments doubled, and the average buy trade increased to $49.56, up from $39.70 in 2024. Their portfolios reflected a tech-focused approach, with top holdings including VOO, NVDA, AAPL, AMZN, and TSLA, alongside a Bitcoin ETF that moved from the 21st to the 12th most-held asset. Tim Sheehan, co-founder and CEO of Greenlight, noted that scaling the company’s Investing service was a significant achievement in 2025, emphasizing the importance of learning to invest for wealth building.
For 2026, the report identifies three core themes influencing financial behavior: a decrease in spending coupled with an increase in earning, saving, and investing, reflecting a prioritization of long-term financial stability; a rise in consistent money management practices as daily habits; and a connection between self-care and financial confidence, evidenced by a surge in activities like reading, exercising, and learning languages.
Additional insights from the report include that only 15% of parents discuss money with their children weekly, yet 67% of kids and teens believe they will be financially better off than their parents. Building an emergency fund was ranked among the top 10 savings goals. Spending on platforms like TikTok Shop increased by 50% year-over-year, and kids and teens spent over $3.6 million on concerts and shows, while teens allocated $17 million to gas.
Jennifer Seitz, Director of Education at Greenlight, commented on the shift away from impulse spending toward intentional financial practices, despite the economic headwinds of 2025. She anticipates more robust conversations around money management, growth, and protection in 2026.
As families engage in daily financial activities and young users take greater ownership of their savings and investments, the report suggests the next generation is on track to develop lasting financial skills. This is supported by findings that 90% of children want to learn how to earn, and 76% report that Greenlight builds their financial confidence.
Greenlight Financial Technology, a fintech company, aims to assist families with money management and life. Its platform includes a debit card, money management tools, and safety features for the entire family, allowing kids and teens to learn to earn, save, and invest. The company partners with over 175 banks, credit unions, and employers through programs like Greenlight for Banks and Greenlight for Credit Unions. The report’s methodology involved a YouGov survey conducted in October 2025 among 1,028 U.
S. adults and an in-app Greenlight survey in November 2025 involving 2,008 Greenlight kids and teens. Data covers the 12-month period ending October 31, 2025. The Greenlight Debit Card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, Member FDIC, under a Mastercard license. Greenlight Investment Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, provides investment advisory services, noting that investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal.
