Not many people are optimistic that their financial outlook will be better this year, than last year, according to a new survey.
Bankrate.com’s senior economic analyst Mark Hamrick said Gen Xers (ages 38-53) were most concerned about debt.
"As this economic expansion has basically grown more mature itself, it's now in its tenth year, there's been an opportunity for people to take on credit card debt and other forms of debt. Obviously, mortgages can fall into that category, as well," said Hamrick.
He said the majority of Americans don't think their personal financial situation will be any better this year than last year. Half blame Washington for bleak financial outlook.
"Fifty-five percent of Americans are downbeat about their finances. Twelve percent think their situation will be worse and 44 percent think it will stay the same," said Hamrick.
Millennials are fairly upbeat about their finances because they expect to make more money at work this year.
He said the good news is that the priority of everyone surveyed was paying down on their debt this year.
About one in 10 Americans have no specific financial goal. This includes 18 percent of the lowest earning households (less than $30K per year), twice as many as those who make more than that.
Additionally, those aged 54 years and older were nearly three times as likely to indicate they don’t have a financial goal this year as those who are younger.