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Consumer sentiment regarding personal finances was down in November, indicating Americans foster a more negative perception about their own finances than they did last year, according to ""Bankrate's"":http://www.bankrate.com/ Financial Security Index. In fact, the index has indicated a decline in consumer confidence year-over-year in 22 of the past 24 months.
[IMAGE]Bankrate measures financial security in five categories: debt, net worth, savings, job security, and overall financial situation. Net worth was the one category in which Americans seem to feel somewhat better than they did last year.
[COLUMN_BREAK]However, sentiment regarding job security and debt fell in November.
The top financial concern for many Americans--32 percent--is ""staying current or getting caught up on the bills,"" according to Bankrate's survey.
""This is consistent with the stagnant household incomes many people are experiencing as well as continued escalation in food, healthcare and energy costs that are squeezing households' buying power,"" commented Greg McBride, Bankrate's senior financial analyst.
This concern is followed by ""paying down debt,"" which 23 percent of respondents cited as their top priority and ""saving,"" cited by 20 percent.
While age did not play a factor in which financial concern consumers chose as their top priority, income did.
Those who prioritize staying current or getting caught up on bills are more likely to earn less than $50,000 per year.
Paying down debt and saving become more common as incomes rise, according to Bankrate.
About 10 percent of respondents prioritized ""helping family members or friends financially."" This concern was spread evenly throughout all income groups.
