TAMPA, Fla. March 9, 2026 &ndash; Nearly half (43%) of adults in Greater Tampa Bay have become more risk-averse with their finances over the past year due to uncertainties with markets, the economy, jobs and more. This is in-line with the national average, in which is 44% of adults in the United States have reacted similarly with their finances. 

Despite that increased aversion to risk for many in Tampa, investing in high-risk/speculative assets is fairly prominent in the area &ndash; with cryptocurrencies leading the way. Northwestern Mutual&rsquo;s newly released 2026 Planning &amp; Progress Study also revealed: 

<ul><li>22% of those in Greater Tampa Bay said they are currently investing in &ndash; or considering investing in &ndash; crypto over the next 12 months. This is lower than the national average (24%) but ranks above markets in the study such as Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Baltimore and Detroit, which had fewer than 20% each. </li></ul>

<ul><li>Additionally, 14% of those surveyed in Tampa Bay are &ndash; or will be &ndash; partaking in sports betting / prediction markets as part of their finances, along with 7% investing in options and 7% in meme stocks. </li></ul>

Among those in Greater Tampa Bay who are going in the direction of high-risk/speculative assets, 74% say that they are doing so because they feel financially behind and believe these investments will help them reach their financial goals more effectively than traditional methods. 

&ldquo;Rising everyday costs are squeezing Tampa households, and many people tell us they feel like they&rsquo;re falling behind,&rdquo; said <a href="https://www.continuumwealthpartners.com/team.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Bill Becker</a>, partner and private wealth advisor with Continuum Wealth Partners a Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group in Tampa. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s why, even as risk aversion is up, some are reaching for speculative plays, hoping to catch up. Our study shows three in four who pursue these assets are doing it for that reason. It&rsquo;s understandable, but you don&rsquo;t have to choose between standing still and swinging for the fences.&nbsp; 

&ldquo;With a disciplined plan, you can take smart, calculated risks, align today&rsquo;s pressures with tomorrow&rsquo;s goals, and make progress with greater confidence,&rdquo; Becker said. &ldquo;The first step is sitting down with a financial advisor who can help map your options and guide decisions that fit your life.&rdquo; 

Open to taking job risk for potential upside 

Overall, Tampa ranks near the top among the large markets in this study for willingness to take employment risks when people believe those risks offer a greater chance of success or happiness. Some 36% of Tampa residents said they would change employers or start a business for that potential upside, versus a 33% national average. Nationwide, more than two-thirds of Americans prefer the consistency and stability of staying with one employer rather than taking the risk of moving between jobs. 

When faced with uncertainty or the unknown, Tampa residents react with anxiety far more than the rest of the country (57% compared to 50%). The majority of respondents in the study across the United States shared that they react to those situations with caution (54% overall). 

Tampa residents are also feeling the pinch far more than the national average in many key financial areas. Over the past three months, these are the percentages of those in Tampa who shared that they personally experienced elevated costs for these essentials.

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