|
 Four in 10 American adults -- 41 percent -- are holding off on major life decisions either because they are financially strapped or worried about the U.S. economy, according to a poll conducted by Harris Interactive for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The decisions include home ownership, higher education, marriage, children, medical procedures, and retirement.
This represents an 11 percentage-point increase from a year ago, when 30 percent of U.S. adults said they were delaying these life decisions for the same reasons.
Of the 41 percent of the 2008 survey respondents who said they are postponing life goals, 28 percent cited a lack of savings as the principal reason, while 18 percent pointed to concerns about the country's economic state. General anxiety over the economy is high, with 54 percent of the entire survey sample expressing a pessimistic outlook over the next year.
"It's alarming that so many more people are choosing not to get married, buy a home or further their education because they don't have the money," said Carl George, chair of the AICPA's National CPA Financial Literacy Commission. "We know people are having a hard time making ends meet, which can affect life goals. It's important that they try to save, even if it's only a small amount each week."
The CPA profession created 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy to educate Americans on how financial issues affect them at all life stages, from childhood to retirement. A related campaign, Feed the Pig, created with the Ad Council, helps 25 to 34 year-olds prepare for long-term financial security.
- from accountingweb.com
|
Full Newsletter
