This is the biggest money worry in your state…

More than 10,000 Americans reveal their financial concerns

The financial worries that keep Americans up at night differ depending on where they live (and sleep).

More than 10,000 Americans were asked to choose their “biggest financial challenge” from seven options: Planning for retirement, saving for a home, saving up an emergency fund, sticking to a budget, building an investment portfolio, paying for higher education, and paying off credit cards. Residents of more than half of all states named retirement planning as the biggest challenge, while one-third of respondents said they struggle most with sticking to a budget, the survey found — but there was sharp contrast between both coasts, and the Midwest. It was conducted by personal finance site GoBankingRates.com.

Among the findings: Only six places named paying for higher education their No. 1 challenge, including California, Hawaii and Washington, D.C. Also notable: Around 60% of those surveyed in Western states said they were most concerned with sticking to a budget, while two-thirds of Midwest states said retirement planning is their biggest challenge. Despite multiple reports that housing is becoming more unaffordable due to a double-edged sword of rising home prices and flat wages, saving for a home and building an investment portfolio were not among the biggest concerns for residents of any state.

continue reading »

More News