The Demographics of Credit Card Memorization
Many people memorize their credit or debit card numbers, whether intentionally or by accident. Understanding who is most likely to do so — and why — offers insight into how this habit influences consumer behavior.
Nearly 1 in 3 Americans (30%) have memorized at least one debit or credit card number, with millennials (34%) leading the way. The habit was slightly more common among those who stored card details in password managers (32%) than those who didn't (28%).
For some, one number wasn't enough — 1 in 3 Americans had multiple card numbers memorized. Gen X (36%) led in this habit, followed by baby boomers (33%), millennials (32%), and Gen Z (32%).
Convenience was a top reason why people memorized their card numbers, with 56% wanting to be able to recall them to make online shopping easier. Gen Z (68%) was the most likely to memorize for this reason. Meanwhile, baby boomers took a different approach: 20% memorized their card numbers specifically to avoid using digital wallets.
Memorization and Spending Habits
Memorizing a credit card number can speed transactions up, but it may also unexpectedly influence spending habits. The data on debt levels, impulse purchases, and emotional spending reveals key differences between those who recall their card details and those who don't.
People who had their card numbers memorized tended to spend more. For example, 20% spent over $500 per month online, compared to just 13% of those who hadn't memorized their number. They also carried 10.8% more debt on average ($5,010 vs. $4,523).
Impulse buying was slightly more common among this group: 26% made unplanned purchases, compared to 23% of non-memorizers. They were also more likely to shop when stressed (22% vs. 15%).
Despite their higher spending, those who remembered their card details were more likely to monitor their accounts. A total of 70% checked their credit card or bank statements at least weekly, compared to 61% of non-memorizers.
Financial Effects of Card Memorization
Memorizing a credit card number can shape financial habits in both positive and negative ways. While some see it as a convenience, others recognize its impact on their spending behavior and have taken steps to regain control.
Interestingly, 17% of Americans said memorizing their card numbers improved their financial habits, while 16% said it worsened them. Gen Z (26%) was the most likely to feel it led to more impulse buying and overspending. Baby boomers, however, were the most likely to report a positive effect — 33% said it improved their financial discipline.
Many who memorized their card numbers adopted new financial habits to curb overspending. They set stricter budgets or spending limits (40%) and switched to using cash more often (17%). Some also adjusted their digital payment settings, with 16% removing saved card details from websites and apps, and another 16% turning off autofill in their browsers.
Card Memorization Trends
Memorizing a credit card number is more common than many might expect, and for most, it happens unintentionally. While this habit can make online shopping more convenient, it also has the potential to influence spending behaviors. Some people find it leads to higher spending, while others use it to improve their financial discipline.
To maintain control, many set stricter budgets, switch to cash, or adjust digital payment settings to reduce impulse purchases. Regardless of the approach, being mindful of how card memorization affects financial decisions can help keep spending habits in check.
Methodology
Western & Southern surveyed 1,009 Americans with at least one credit or debit card to explore credit and debit card number memorization and its impact on spending habits. Among them, 30% had at least one card number memorized. The generational breakdown was as follows:
- Gen Z: 17%
- Millennials: 49%
- Gen X: 24%
- Baby boomers: 9%
The data was collected in February 2025. Any percentages that did not total 100% when they should have were due to rounding.
About Western & Southern Financial Group
Founded in Cincinnati in 1888 as The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company, Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc., a Fortune 500® company at No. 284, is the parent company of a group of diversified financial services businesses. Its assets owned ($80 billion) and managed ($42 billion) totaled $122 billion as of Sept. 30, 2024.1 Western & Southern is one of the strongest life insurance groups in the world. Its seven life insurance subsidiaries (The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company, Western-Southern Life Assurance Company, Columbus Life Insurance Company, Gerber Life Insurance Company,2 Integrity Life Insurance Company, The Lafayette Life Insurance Company, and National Integrity Life Insurance Company) maintain very strong financial ratings. Other member companies include Eagle Realty Group, LLC; Fabric by Gerber Life; Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.;3 Gerber Life Agency;4 IFS Financial Services, Inc.; Touchstone Advisors, Inc.;3 Touchstone Securities, Inc.;5 W&S Brokerage Services, Inc.;3,5 and W&S Financial Group Distributors, Inc.6 Western & Southern is a title sponsor of several major community events every year. From 2002 to 2023, it served as title sponsor of Cincinnati's longtime professional tennis tournament — now named the Cincinnati Open — an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event and one of the world's largest tournaments. The company continues to serve as a major sponsor of the event.
1 The financial information presented here is preliminary and unaudited.
2 Gerber Life is a registered trademark. Used under license from Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. and Gerber Products Company.
3 A registered investment advisor.
4 In the State of California, Gerber Life Agency, LLC is known as and does business as Gerber Life Insurance Agency, LLC.
5 A registered broker-dealer and member FINRA / SIPC.
6 W&S Financial Group Distributors, Inc. (doing business as W&S Financial Insurance Services in CA).
Review our current financial ratings.
From Fortune ©2024 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune and Fortune 500 are registered trademarks of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse the products or services of Western & Southern Financial Group.
Fair Use Statement
You're welcome to use this data for non-commercial purposes, provided you include a link back to the original page.
