Americans hold off on major purchases over election uncertainty

When people are faced with uncertainty, they find it harder to make decisions. It’s called the “disjunction effect” and financial experts say this applies to the election. 

Interesting of note is that people feel inclined to hold off even if they make the same decision, regardless of what happens next.

“As a consequence, they may continue with the status quo, or a ‘do nothing different’ mentality until the uncertainty is resolved,” Michael Liersch, head of advice and planning at Wells Fargo, told FOX Business. 

The election is a prime example, given that it’s a moment of extreme uncertainty, he noted.

‘FED IS IN A TIGHT SPOT’: ECONOMISTS WEIGH IN ON HOW RATE CUTS COULD IMPACT ELECTION

“In line with research around the disjunction effect, people may delay major decisions – for example, a decision to buy or sell something – until they know the results of the election even if they will ultimately move forward regardless of which candidate wins,” Liersch said. “The bottom line: people may simply feel the need to know the result in order to take action.”  

The issue is “uncertainty in and of itself can cause decision paralysis,” he continued.

TOP US INVESTOR MOST WORRIED ABOUT THE ELECTION’S ‘HUGE’ IMPACT ON MARKETS

Liersch explained that making decisions when knowing future outcomes feels easier. 

While a fear of the unknown can play a part in this thought process, Liersch said the “biggest driver is truly the difficulty in mapping out the justification for the decision without knowing the outcome,” he continued. 

In order to overcome this, he suggested sitting down with a trusted spouse, partner, family member, friend or professional and focus on your goals. 

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

“What is it that the decision will help you accomplish? And run the scenarios. If X candidate won, what decision should you make?” Liersch said. “If Y candidate won, what decision would you make? In that way, you can “stress test” whether the outcome really would impact your personal financial goals, and the decisions involved in reaching them.”