Advance America, a leading provider of short-term financial solutions, released findings from a January 2026 survey of 541 U.S. adults that reveal a clear picture of who is borrowing before payday: working Americans managing the gap between when bills come due and when their paycheck arrives.

The survey found that 87% of respondents had used at least one short-term borrowing method in the past six months. Of those, 76.2% reported receiving a steady paycheck from full-time or part-time employment, and 78.6% said they are primarily responsible for managing their household finances.

"This research confirms what our team hears from customers every day," said Jessica Rustin, Chief Executive Officer of Advance America. "Our customers are working adults who manage their finances thoughtfully. They choose short-term borrowing because it's a practical, predictable solution — and that's exactly what Advance America is built to provide."

The paycheck gap is real

The survey results align with broader economic trends. By August 2026, U.S. inflation had risen to 3.4% year-over-year while average hourly earnings decreased 0.3%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A separate CNBC Affordability Survey from July 2026 found that 63% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and 61% say their pay schedule doesn't align with the timing of their expenses.

Roughly 80% of Advance America's survey respondents fell between the ages of 35 and 54 — employed adults with mortgages, families, and bills that don't wait. And the cost of waiting is high: 44% of respondents said they have incurred late fees, interest, or bank overdraft charges in the past six months while waiting on their next paycheck to arrive.

How Americans are bridging the gap

When asked how they accessed cash before payday, respondents reported a range of approaches:

• 64.5% used a payday loan or small-dollar loan
• 29.6% used a cash advance app
• 21.6% borrowed from friends or family
• 17.6% took a cash advance from a debit or credit card
• 16.8% paid a bank overdraft fee

Advance America's research shows that customers who choose a payday loan or installment loan value the transparency and predictability of knowing exactly when and what they'll pay.