Connect with us

Finance

Nearly 60% of Americans say $100K income required to curb expenses anxiety

Published

on

With Americans still feeling the pinch of higher prices, many believe they would have to take home at least $100,000 a year to not fret about everyday living expenses, newly-released data showed.

Edelman Financial Engines on Monday said 58% of Americans said their concerns about day-to-day expenses would be lessened if they received that level of yearly income.

Higher percentages of Americans in their 30s and 40s said they had to make at least $100,000 compared to older age groups, the company found. For those in their 30s, the share was 71%, while 75% in their 40s cited that figure.

woman counting money at an office

woman counting money at modern office (iStock / iStock)

Those findings were part of the company’s latest “Everyday Wealth in America” study that surveyed 3,000 Americans 30 years or older, including 1,500 “affluent” individuals aged 45-70, online between June 12-July 3.

INFLATION RISES 2.5% IN AUGUST, LESS THAN EXPECTED

Meanwhile, for one-fourth of all Americans, $200,000 was the yearly salary necessary to banish stress about everyday expenses, Edelman Financial Engines reported.

Retirement planning

A couple reviews their finances at home. (iStock / iStock)

The data comes as Americans have been contending with high inflation and costs of living for quite some time.

In August, inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index went up 0.2% month-over-month and 2.5% year-over-year in August, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics called the “smallest 12-month increase since February 2021,” FOX Business previously reported.

The costs of food and shelter have been pain points for U.S. consumers. The prices for food in August remained 2.1% higher than a year ago, while shelter was up 5.2% in the same time frame, according to the CPI.

Edelman Financial Engines’ wide-ranging study also showed just 12% of Americans view themselves as wealthy.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON GO BY CLICKING HERE

Nearly two-thirds of Americans that don’t put themselves within that category indicated that having $1 million would make them feel wealthy, according to the data.

About 44% of Americans “see credit cards (versus other types of debt) as the biggest threat to their ability to build wealth,” per the study.

Edelman Financial Engines’ Amin Dabit said in a statement accompanying the newly-released study that Americans “aren’t feeling overly confident about the state of their finances.”

Woman looking at paper bill and counting expenses, Planning budget and home finance management (Lazy_Bear/iStock / Getty Images)

“Part of these worries stem from external pressures, like inflation or a turbulent election economy, while some are individual pressures, such as family responsibilities and mounting credit card debt,” he said. “Through this research, we’re learning more about how these different factors all come together to impact the way Americans perceive and achieve their wealth.”

COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS KICKS OFF THE HARRIS, TRUMP DEBATE

Overall, the economy and personal finances were major drivers of anxiety for Americans, with 49% calling the former their “biggest source” and 48% saying the latter, Edelman Financial Engines found. About 37% said politics.

Building emergency savings, growing wealth and saving for retirement were among the “top 3” financial goals reported by Americans this year.

Eric Revell contributed to this report.

 

Continue Reading

Finance

GME, MSTR, HMC and more

Published

on

Continue Reading

Finance

10-year Treasury yield rises above 4.6% ahead of jobless claims

Published

on

Traders work at the New York Stock Exchange on Dec. 17, 2024.

NYSE

Treasury yields rose Thursday morning as investors awaited new data on jobless claims.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury jumped 4 basis points 4.627%. The 2-year Treasury traded 1 basis point higher at 4.353%.

One basis point is equal to 0.01%. Yields move inversely to prices.

Jobless claims for the week ended Dec.21 are expected to total 225,000, according to an estimate from Dow Jones. Claims for the prior week totaled 220,000.

The benchmark 10-year rate has climbed more than 40 basis points this month. The bulk of the advance came after the Federal Reserve pared down rate-cut projections, indicating only two more interest rate cuts in 2025, down from the four potential cuts penciled in during September.

Continue Reading

Finance

Top personal finance New Year’s resolutions for 2025

Published

on

The elevated inflation in recent years continued to wreak havoc on many Americans’ wallets in 2024, but the start of the new year provides a great opportunity to set new financial goals to get back on track.

“As we step into 2025, the country’s financial landscape calls for proactive resolutions to address rising concerns such as inflation and debt,” WalletHub analyst Chris Lupo told FOX Business. “Top financial resolutions for 2025 should be focused on smart budgeting, saving, and debt repayment.”

financial planning

Many Americans set new financial goals at the start of the New Year (iStock / iStock)

Here are some of the top financial New Year’s resolutions for 2025, according to WalletHub:

1. Make a realistic budget and stick to it

“With Americans carrying nearly $1.3 trillion in credit card debt, setting realistic budgets is a must,” Lupo said.

CREDIT CARD DEBT SURGES TO ANOTHER RECORD HIGH, NEW YORK FED DATA SHOWS

2. Save more money

Lupo says saving is also key, as many households lack emergency funds. He suggests starting small with a goal of saving two months’ take-home pay and working your way up to a year’s worth.

“Don’t forget to maximize your earnings: 5%+ APYs on online savings accounts make switching banks worthwhile,” he noted, adding that high-yield Certificates of Deposit (CDs) are also worth considering.

3. Explore ways to refinance high interest rates

High-interest debt is costly, so Lupo says to consider tools like balance transfer cards or debt consolidation loans to cut costs. 

4. Repay 25% of your credit card debt

The average American is currently carrying more than $10,000 in credit card debt, and the sooner it can be tackled, the better. WalletHub says it is important to get serious about it, but suggests it is probably best to start small by setting a goal of chipping away at a quarter of it over the course of the year.

COUPLE REVEALS HOW THEY GAINED THEIR OWN FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE

5. Fight back against inflation

Look for ways to cut costs in everyday expenses, like shopping around for everything you buy, taking advantage of deals and coupons, turning the thermostat down, buying in bulk and cutting back until prices come down.

Grocery shopping

WalletHub suggests fighting back against high prices by shopping around and finding the best price on everyday items. (Paola Chapdelaine for The Washington Post via Getty Images / Getty Images)

WalletHub has another 10 suggestions for 2025 financial resolutions, including paying bills right after getting your paycheck, making sure you have enough insurance for a catastrophe, protecting your identity, brushing up on your financial literacy, and even looking for a better job.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

“Focus on financial literacy and healthy money habits, like paying bills immediately after payday,” Lupo said. “These steps will help make 2025 a financially healthier year.”

Continue Reading

Trending