A majority of homeowners are worried about home values
January 26, 2012
At a time when the majority of homeowners are worried about home values, Democrats and independents tend to favor government action to mitigate foreclosures, while Republicans prefer the housing market resolve its problems on its own.
Slight majority, however, are optimistic their finances will improve by next year
January 18, 2012
Nearly half of U.S. adults, 49%, say their finances are worse than a year ago, a rate that is among the highest in four decades. At the same time, 56% predict improvement in their finances, creating a mixed picture of Americans' financial mood.
Fifty-five percent of upper-income Americans say their standard of living is "getting better"
January 12, 2012
Gallup's Standard of Living Index was at 31 in December, the highest since June and up slightly from the 30 of December 2010. Fifty-five percent of upper-income and 47% of lower- and middle-income Americans said their standard of living was "getting better" in December.
Majority still satisfied with finances and family life, despite tougher economy
December 22, 2011
Americans are only slightly less satisfied with their future prospects, income, net worth, and housing situation today than they were in 1998, during booming economic times. Americans are most likely to be satisfied with their family life (90%) and least likely to be satisfied with their financial savings (50%).
The majority would put themselves in the "haves" category if they had to choose
December 15, 2011
Americans are now less likely to see U.S. society as divided into the "haves" and "have nots" than they were in 2008, returning to their views prior to that point. The majority of Americans would put themselves in the "haves" category if they had to choose.
Half believe $1 million in net worth would make them rich
December 8, 2011
Americans say they would need to earn a median of $150,000 a year to consider themselves rich. Separately, 50% say they would need $1 million or more in savings and investments to consider themselves rich.
Negativity increased after Aug. 2 debt ceiling debate, giving back 2011 improvement
November 25, 2011
Fewer Americans now say they are feeling better about their financial situations (49%) than did so in mid-July (53%). The decline came in August, after Congress wrangled over the debt ceiling, suggesting the supercommittee's failure this week could spur more negativity.
Overall access to basic needs also declines to a new low
November 10, 2011
Fewer Americans say they had enough money to buy the food they or their families needed in October than at any point since November 2008, continuing a decline that began in April 2011. Americans' overall access to basic needs also fell to a record low.
More Egyptians (40%) say they are "finding it very difficult" to get by on their present income than said so before the revolution (22%). Nearly half (45%) say there have been times when they did not have enough money for food, essentially the same percentage who said so before the revolution.
Almost one in five Americans say they did not have enough money for food in the past year
October 12, 2011
Chinese are struggling less than in the past to afford enough food and adequate shelter, while Americans are struggling more. The percentage of Americans saying they did not have money for food or adequate shelter in the previous year more than doubled from 2008 to 2011.
