More Americans Making Financial Resolutions: Fidelity

Forty-three percent of Americans are setting financial New Year’s resolutions for 2010, Fidelity found in a survey of 1,000 people age 18 and older, up dramatically from the 35% who traditionally have said they were setting financial goals. Fidelity attributed the financial crisis to the new sensitivity to money matters.

Among those aged 35 to 44, 55% are setting financial goals. By gender, women are more financially attuned, with 48% saying they are setting financial goals for the New Year, compared with 39% of men.

Seventy-one percent also said they hope to increase their confidence level in their finances in the coming year. Likewise, attendance at Fidelity seminars rose 25% in the past year, and the company handled more than 1.2 million guidance interactions with customers in 2009.

“Americans are eager to feel better about their personal finances, and it’s driving them to ask themselves questions about how to set short- and long-term goals,” said Ken Hevert, vice president of Fidelity Investments. “As investors continue to ask these crucial questions, it’s important they seek trusted guidance and create an action plan.” Thus, Fidelity has created financial life stage guidance at its website: http://personal.fidelity.com/planning/guidance_overview.shtml.cvsr.

As to specific goals, 51% cited saving more money, 30% want to spend less money and 14% are aiming to stick to a budget. Forty-seven percent said they intend to set financial goals, and 43% hope to save for retirement.