44% Still Say All Money Goes to Living Expenses

• Forty-four percent (44%) of registered voters say all their money goes to living expenses.
  • This is down 1 point from 2 weeks ago and the same as a month ago.
  • Half (50%) say they can set aside money for savings, the same as 2 weeks ago and down 1 point from a month ago.
  • Three quarters (77%) of postgraduates say they can regularly set aside money.
  • Conversely, 63% of those who make $50K or less say all their income goes to their current living expenses.
• If a surprise expense of $1,000 came up, 46% of voters say they would need to cut back on their lifestyle.
  • This is the same as 2 weeks ago and up 5 from a month ago.
  • Meanwhile, 49% said they could make the surprise payment without cutting back, up 1 point from 2 weeks ago but down 5 points from a month ago.
• Almost half (49%) of voters say they paid off their credit cards in full over the past month, down 5 points from 2 weeks ago and down 3 points from a month ago.
  • A large majority (71%) of postgraduates say they paid off their credit cards.
  • A solid majority (62%) of retired voters also say they paid off their credit cards in full.
  • Forty-three percent (43%) of voters say they had to make partial payments, up 5 points from 2 weeks ago.

See also: Opinions on the Economy and Personal Finances.