We know that how consumers are feeling about the economy and how they're spending has often not matched up. But analytics company JD Power says consumers have grown increasingly worried about price increases — and many are delaying major purchases.This is especially true for people under 40. JD Power told Marketplace that just 37% of consumers under 40 feel financially secure enough to cover everyday expenses.“Marketplace Morning Report” host Nova Safo spoke with Jennifer White, senior director of financial services intelligence at JD Power. The following is an edited transcript of their conversation. Nova Safo: Your latest survey found quite a bit of challenges right now for consumers. Can you break it down for those under 40 versus older generations — what are the challenges they're facing?Jennifer White: In general, we know that more than two thirds of the U.S. consumer base is struggling to some degree financially. And when I say struggling, I mean things like, can you pay your bills on time? Do you have both access to short- and long-term deposits? The challenge is for those younger consumers amongst us, their ability to meet those thresholds is something that very often comes with time, and they haven't had enough time to build up those resources in a way that makes them feel more comfortable about their financial health. Safo: And for the younger consumer, and perhaps even others as well, in other generations, you think we are reaching a tipping point, or near one, where the resilience that we've seen so far in the last few years may be about to come to an end?White: I do believe that we have seen incredible resilience, particularly in the younger consumer base. The challenge is predicting when price fatigue will erode that resilience. We definitely see changes in behaviors with regard to affordability being more pronounced among younger consumers — so taking greater steps today in order to navigate price fatigue. So, it would seem to indicate that that tipping point would come sooner for the younger consumer than the older consumer, but it's hard to predict when it'll happen.Safo: Tell me about what role you're seeing social media and AI play in all this; in terms of financial advice and information that people may be seeking out.White: We asked consumers in the last three months, have you gone to AI to ask for financial advice or information? That number is 68% in the under 40 population compared to 42% in the over 40 population. Now, consumers of all ages are telling us that they're going to verify that information. The challenge is when we say, “Who are you verifying it with?” — most often it's friends and family. So, what verification really looks like can be worrisome if we think about how often AI can be misleading to consumers.Safo: If you had one piece of financial advice for folks who may be struggling out there or who may be trying to get some kind of financial assistance, what would that advice be?White: Reach out to your bank. Spend the time to find out how to make an appointment for an in-person or virtual consultation. They likely have free credit score tools that not only will explain what your current credit score is but provide you, oftentimes, with a simulator on how to improve your credit score. While I know we might have growing distrust, as a general populace, in large institutions, for the most part banks are considered one of the most trustworthy institutions. And it's a good chance that the help that you need is there for free, and you might just not know about it.