Do You Feel Financially Secure?

Brent Pittman —  06/27/2012 — 7 Comments
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Do you feel financially secure? Photo credit ewanr

A recent survey was conducted by bankrate.com on how 1000 Americans felt about their financial security. Some of the results might surprise you. For fun let’s play along and see how we stack up to the respondents answers

Do You Feel Financially Secure?

These are real questions asked over the telephone in June 2012 to 1000 Americans. I’ll answer the question and then give the results of the survey.

How much do you have in emergency savings (checking, savings, money market)? 

  1. None
  2. 0-3 months
  3. 3-5 months
  4. 6+ months
  5. None of your business!
For us we’d be in 3-5 months range, but if we add in our allocated savings account the answer would be 6+ months.

Financial Security Index Bankrate.com

How do you feel about your job security compared to 12 months ago? 

  1. More Secure
  2. Less Secure
  3. Same as 12 months ago
  4. I’m a robot and don’t have feelings.
I’d have to answer more secure. Since 12 months I quit my steady paycheck day job and have found that I can make it as an entrepreneur. 

Financial Security Index Bankrate.com

How do you feel about the amount of debt you have compared to 12 months ago? 

  1. More comfortable.
  2. Less comfortable.
  3. About the same.
  4. Don’t know.
We had no debt 12 months ago and none today so #3 same for us. 

Financial Security Index Bankrate.com


Compared to 12 months ago your total net worth (assets-debt) is:

  1. Higher.
  2. Lower.
  3. Same.
  4. Don’t Know

Our total net worth is lower due to pulling money out of savings for a few months. 


Compared to 12 months ago do you feel your overall financial situation is:

  1. Better today.
  2. Worse today.
  3. About the same.
  4. Don’t know.
Our overall financial situation is probably worse today than 12 months ago as I build my business(es), but we are much happier and have the freedom to do what we love. 

How did your answers stack up to the survey? 

Financial Security Index Bankrate.com

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Brent Pittman

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Brent is a financial coach and writer looking for the perfect donut. He believes personal finance should be both fun and accessible to anyone willing to learn.
  • AverageJoe

    Interesting and largely positive survey. I’m impressed by the amount of people who think they’re better overall and who have a reserve in the bank. Maybe things are looking up more than I thought?

    • http://www.ontargetcoach.com/ Brent Pittman

      I’d like to hope so too.

  • http://www.moneylifeandmore.com/ Lance@MoneyLife&More

    My answers are 4, 3, 3, 1, 1. I’m pretty fortunate though so I don’t expect a lot of people to be in the same boat as me. I also graduated into the recession and got extremely lucky with my first job.

    • http://www.ontargetcoach.com/ Brent Pittman

      Lance, I bet it was more than luck that got your job. Have you written about that yet?

      • http://www.moneylifeandmore.com/ Lance@MoneyLife&More

        Yes, definitely was more than luck but I try to be modest :) I will have to add that to the list of things to write about!

  • krantcents

    Overall, I feel slightly better now than I did a year ago. My net worth is up, my home value is up (small) and I feel optimistic. My job security is based on tenure (teacher).

    • http://www.ontargetcoach.com/ Brent Pittman

      Home value is up? Wow! Is this based off taxes or comps in area?