Americans worry their paychecks won’t cover basic costs in 2008

from the Northwest Area Foundation

Eight of 10 people say they will take their concerns to the voting booth this November

More than one-third of Americans worry most of the time that their total family income will not be enough to meet their family’s expenses and bills in 2008, bringing the struggle to make ends meet to a very personal level, according to a nationwide survey released today by the Northwest Area Foundation. Whether due to the depressed housing market, record numbers of home foreclosures, mounting debt or a wavering stock market, more than half of Americans rated the economy as fair or poor. More than two-thirds say they are worried the economy will get worse this year. The poll numbers show:

* Thirty-six percent worry most or all of the time their total family income won’t be enough to meet bills.
* Fifty-six percent rate the local economy as fair or poor.
* Sixty-nine percent say they are worried the economy might get worse in the next year.

The impact of these numbers is playing out in communities from the West Coast to the Midwest.

“People are struggling with higher energy and gasoline prices at a time when many new jobs are paying lower wages. We have high pockets of poverty in our region, made evident by the fact that one of our elementary schools in Walla Walla has been running at or near 100 percent free and reduced lunches for the past five years,” said Steven Moss, CEO of Blue Mountain Action Council in Walla Walla, Wash.

“Daily living expenses continue to rise, and wages are not keeping up. We’ve seen people go without prescription drugs and medical care, because they just can’t afford it. There’s been an increase in requests for heating assistance. Many of these are coming from hard working families who say they’ve never before had such huge increases in the cost of living,” said Marcia Erickson, executive director, Northeast South Dakota Community Action Program in Sisseton, S.D.

An overwhelming number of Americans say their concerns about people struggling to make ends meet will be an issue in this year’s elections:

* Ninety percent say they will probably vote in the November election.
* Ninety percent think it is important for elected officials to help those who are struggling.
* Eighty percent say they will take that belief with them to the voting booth.

Yet, people hold out hope. For three straight years they have said they believe that the number going through hard times can be reduced.

“Americans are fully aware that the struggle to make ends meet has become harder and more pervasive all around this country and in all kinds of communities – urban, rural and American Indian reservations,” said Gary Cunningham, vice president of programs and chief program officer for the Northwest Area Foundation. “As significantly, the hope and drive we’ve seen in communities to reduce poverty, build prosperity and take back their destinies, is also borne out in this national poll.”

A likely reflection of the rising cost of living, more people say it takes twice the federal poverty threshold, $21,027, to meet basic needs for a family of four:

* Seventy percent in 2008 vs. 69 percent in 2007 say it takes at least $40,000 for a family of four.
* Forty-two percent in 2008 vs. 41 percent in 2007 say it takes more than $40,000 for a family of four.

For the third year in a row, a vast majority of Americans, 78 percent, said they know someone who is working full time, yet is still struggling to make ends meet. Fifty-two percent said they know people who are working two or more jobs and are struggling.

Despite their own personal financial worries, 90 percent of Americans report they would like to do more to help those who are struggling to make ends meet. Among the steps they are willing to take, 63 percent say they would pay $50 more per year in taxes if it would go to people in their community.

For full details on the national poll, including actions people are willing to take to help others, priorities for lawmakers, and optimism for the future, visit www.nwaf.org.