Household Finance

TLDR

Household finance research is difficult because household behavior is hard to measure and households face constraints beyond textbook models. Evidence shows most households invest effectively, but a poorer, less educated minority makes significant mistakes, understands its limits, and cross‑subsidies from naive to sophisticated households can hinder welfare‑improving innovation.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study of household finance is challenging because household behavior is difficult to measure, and households face constraints not captured by textbook models. Evidence on participation, diversification, and mortgage refinancing suggests that many households invest effectively, but a minority make significant mistakes. This minority appears to be poorer and less well educated than the majority of more successful investors. There is some evidence that households understand their own limitations and avoid financial strategies for which they feel unqualified. Some financial products involve a cross‐subsidy from naive to sophisticated households, and this can inhibit welfare‐improving financial innovation.