Screen Reader Mode Icon Check SCREEN READER MODE to make this survey compatible with screen readers. Financial Landscape of Beauty and Wellness Students and Graduates To better understand the financial behaviors, challenges, literacy, and emotional well-being of students and graduates from beauty and wellness programs in the U.S. This study will help us understand each generation, including Gen Z but not limited to it, providing data-driven insights to support educational content, resources, and policy recommendations aimed at improving financial literacy and confidence within the beauty and wellness industry. OK SECTION 1: Demographics OK Please select the option that best describes you: OK Question Title * 1. I am currently enrolled in a school for one of the following programs (Required.) Cosmetology Esthetics Barbering Massage Therapy Nail Technology No, I am a graduate Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 2. If you answered "graduate" for question 1 please share what year you graduated and from which program(s) (Required.) OK Question Title * 3. If you answered "graduate" for question 1 please describe what you are currently doing for work (check all that apply if you have more than 1 job). Working in the beauty and wellness industry practicing my trade Working in the beauty and wellness industry in a related field (not my trade) Working in an unrelated field outside of the beauty and wellness industry Not currently working Retired N/A OK Question Title * 4. What is your gender? Female Male Non-binary Prefer not to say OK Question Title * 5. What is your ethnicity? White Black or African American Hispanic or Latino Asian Native American or Alaska Native Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Other / Prefer not to say OK Question Title * 6. What is your highest level of education completed? Some high school High school diploma or GED Some college Associate’s degree Bachelor’s degree Graduate degree or higher OK Question Title * 7. What is your current employment status? Full-time (30+ hours/week) Part-time Freelance/Gig-based Unemployed and looking Unemployed and not looking Student only OK Question Title * 8. What is your approximate annual income before taxes? Under $10,000 $10,000–$24,999 $25,000–$39,999 $40,000–$59,999 $60,000–$79,999 $80,000+ Prefer not to say OK Question Title * 9. What year were you Born? Gen Z: Born 1997-2012 Millennials: Born 1981-1996 Gen X: Born 1965-1980 Baby Boomers: Born 1955-1964 OK SECTION 2: Financial Independence & Support OK Question Title * 10. Are you currently financially independent from your parents or guardians? Yes No OK Question Title * 11. Do you receive any financial assistance from your family for the following expenses? (Select all that apply) Rent or housing Groceries or daily living expenses Tuition or school fees Health insurance or medical bills None of the above OK Question Title * 12. At what age did you begin managing your own personal finances (e.g., paying bills, budgeting)? OK Question Title * 13. Do you currently live with your parents or guardians? Yes No OK SECTION 3: Financial Behaviors & Habits OK Question Title * 14. Do you actively use a budget to manage your finances? Yes No OK Question Title * 15. Do you feel a sense of money anxiety? That is, feeling a sense of fear, angst, or dread when discussing the topic of finance and money? Yes No OK Question Title * 16. Which financial tools do you use regularly? (Select all that apply) Banking app (e.g., Chase, Wells Fargo) Budgeting app (e.g., Mint, YNAB) Investment app (e.g., Robinhood, Acorns) Buy Now, Pay Later apps (e.g., Klarna, Afterpay) Credit monitoring app (e.g., Credit Karma) None OK Question Title * 17. How often do you check your bank or financial accounts? Multiple times a day Once a day A few times a week Weekly Less than once a week OK Question Title * 18. What best describes your saving habits? I save regularly and have a plan I save when I can, but not consistently I struggle to save I do not save at all OK Question Title * 19. What percentage of your income do you save or invest each month? 0–5% 6–10% 11–20% Over 20% Not sure OK Question Title * 20. Do you have an emergency fund?An emergency fund is money set aside, usually enough to cover 3 to 6 months of your essential living expenses that you can easily access in case of unexpected events like job loss, medical emergencies, or urgent repairs. Yes No OK Question Title * 21. Do you feel in control of your day-to-day financial decisions? Yes No OK SECTION 4: Debt & Credit Use OK Question Title * 22. Do you currently carry any of the following types of debt? (Select all that apply) Credit card debt Student loans Auto loans Medical debt Buy Now, Pay Later services (e.g., Klarna, Afterpay) None OK Question Title * 23. What is your total non-mortgage debt (excluding housing)? Under $1,000 $1,000–$4,999 $5,000–$9,999 $10,000–$19,999 $20,000+ Not sure / Prefer not to say OK Question Title * 24. Have you ever missed or been late on a loan or credit card payment? Yes No OK Question Title * 25. Do you regularly use Buy Now, Pay Later services for purchases? Yes No OK Question Title * 26. What is one area where you frequently spend more money than you'd like? Meal Delivery Services (DoorDash, UberEats, etc) Clothing/Shopping, Beauty Services (Nail/Lash/Hair, etc) Transportation (Uber/Lyft, etc) Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 27. Do you understand how interest and Annual Percentage Rate work when using credit cards or loans? Yes No OK SECTION 5: Financial Literacy & Confidence OK Question Title * 28. On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your overall financial literacy?Financial literacy means the ability to understand and manage your money effectively. This includes how to save, budget, spend wisely, and make informed financial decisions. 0 10 Clear i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale. OK Question Title * 29. What are your biggest financial concerns for when you graduate? (Select all that apply) Figuring out how to make money How to budget and manage expenses How to pay off debt/student loans How to maintain or improve a credit score How to invest/save for the future How to begin financial independence (not rely on a guardian, partner or others) How to provide for dependents Others (Optional) OK Question Title * 30. Have you ever received any formal financial education? Yes, in school (high school or college) Yes, through a workplace program or course Yes, from a parent or family member No, I’ve never received financial education OK Question Title * 31. How confident are you when making the following financial decisions? (1 being not confident at all, 10 highly confident) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Budgeting Budgeting 1 Budgeting 2 Budgeting 3 Budgeting 4 Budgeting 5 Budgeting 6 Budgeting 7 Budgeting 8 Budgeting 9 Budgeting 10 Choosing a bank account Choosing a bank account 1 Choosing a bank account 2 Choosing a bank account 3 Choosing a bank account 4 Choosing a bank account 5 Choosing a bank account 6 Choosing a bank account 7 Choosing a bank account 8 Choosing a bank account 9 Choosing a bank account 10 Maintaining a good credit score Maintaining a good credit score 1 Maintaining a good credit score 2 Maintaining a good credit score 3 Maintaining a good credit score 4 Maintaining a good credit score 5 Maintaining a good credit score 6 Maintaining a good credit score 7 Maintaining a good credit score 8 Maintaining a good credit score 9 Maintaining a good credit score 10 Paying back student loans Paying back student loans 1 Paying back student loans 2 Paying back student loans 3 Paying back student loans 4 Paying back student loans 5 Paying back student loans 6 Paying back student loans 7 Paying back student loans 8 Paying back student loans 9 Paying back student loans 10 Understanding & Paying Taxes Understanding & Paying Taxes 1 Understanding & Paying Taxes 2 Understanding & Paying Taxes 3 Understanding & Paying Taxes 4 Understanding & Paying Taxes 5 Understanding & Paying Taxes 6 Understanding & Paying Taxes 7 Understanding & Paying Taxes 8 Understanding & Paying Taxes 9 Understanding & Paying Taxes 10 Investing for the future/Retirement Investing for the future/Retirement 1 Investing for the future/Retirement 2 Investing for the future/Retirement 3 Investing for the future/Retirement 4 Investing for the future/Retirement 5 Investing for the future/Retirement 6 Investing for the future/Retirement 7 Investing for the future/Retirement 8 Investing for the future/Retirement 9 Investing for the future/Retirement 10 Getting out of debt Getting out of debt 1 Getting out of debt 2 Getting out of debt 3 Getting out of debt 4 Getting out of debt 5 Getting out of debt 6 Getting out of debt 7 Getting out of debt 8 Getting out of debt 9 Getting out of debt 10 OK Question Title * 32. Where do you usually turn for financial advice? (Select all that apply) Parents/family Friends/peers Social media (e.g., TikTok, Instagram) YouTube Podcasts or blogs Financial advisor I don’t seek advice OK SECTION 6: Financial Wellness & Mental Health OK Question Title * 33. How often do you feel stressed about money? Daily Weekly Occasionally Rarely Never OK Question Title * 34. Have you ever delayed medical care or other essential needs because of finances? Yes No OK Question Title * 35. Have financial issues ever affected your academic or job performance? Yes No OK Question Title * 36. What are the top 3 words you associate with “money”? OK Question Title * 37. What financial goal feels most urgent to you right now? OK Question Title * 38. Would you be interested in financial coaching, mentorship, or group learning? Yes No OK End of SurveyThank you for your participation. Your responses will help us build more relevant and effective resources for Gen Z’s financial success. OK DONE
