Bankrate.com Financial Literacy Survey

Bankrate.com commissioned a national poll to gauge Americans' financial literacy and help them master their money. The major findings of the study are outlined below. (See our newest Financial Literacy Survey.)

America's financial literacy grade

No one will show their parents this report card, which grades Americans on a dozen concrete steps that mark them as being financially literate, such as reading their financial statements, checking their credit and shopping for better deals.

America's financial literacy report card

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There's a substantial disconnection between Americans' confident bluster about their money-management skills and their actual behavior, the survey shows.

Americans feel both confident and anxious about their money skills

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Good news for boomers. Our survey shows that age brings financial wisdom. Here's how gender, education, income level and age affect financial literacy.

The demographics of financial literary in America

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When it comes to fear, our nation's consumers worry most about the affect of terrorism on their personal finances and on the country as a whole. We offered 10 possible fears, here's how America ranked them.

Financial fears of Americans

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Americans with a firm grasp on their finances are richer in many ways. Smart money management brings peace of mind and puts money in your pocket, the survey shows.

The many rewards of financial literacy

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We've identified 12 steps that indicate smart money skills -- and offer ways to close the gap between knowing what to do and doing it.
12 steps to financial literacy

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