<p>This research explored the impact of financial stress, psychological factors, and financial knowledge/education on life satisfaction using a cross-sectional analysis of data from 2019 to 2023. Data from a national online survey in the U.S. indicate a nuanced relationship where the physiological and relational components of financial stress, alongside higher self-esteem and financial education, contribute positively to life satisfaction. In contrast, a higher level of objective financial knowledge is negatively associated with life satisfaction. These findings suggest a nuanced interplay of psychological characteristics with life satisfaction in the face of global disruptions such as COVID-19.</p>