Five-Minute Stress Relief.com

Financial Polls Reflect the Stress of Fear

There are two main organizations that conduct regular polls of the American people concerning the public’s attitudes on the financial state of affairs. RBC Cash Index is defined as “a monthly national survey of consumer attitudes on the current and future state of local economies, personal finance situations, savings and confidence to make large investments.” The second organization, AP-Ipsos Polls, is a similar service describing its activities as “conducting strategic research in partnership with clients from government, public, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors.” So essentially, these services keep their fingers on the pulse of America’s economic health.

What follows is a listing of the most significant headlines and summary of polls taken in 2007-2008 that illustrates the rising stress levels of Americans concerning the country’s economic tailspin of these years:

RBC Cash Index Press Releases

Drumbeat of Bad News Continues to Drive Consumer Sentiment Down

July 3, 2008

Soaring gas and food prices and a stock market that just endured its worst June performance since the Great Depression are draining consumers' wallets as well as their confidence. The survey found that Americans' confidence in future personal financial conditions; current conditions and investments continue to weaken. The decline of the RBC CASH Index suggests that consumer sentiment has fallen to the dismal level of the early 1980s.

Financial Meltdown Has Effect

October 7, 2008

Economy Jumps 6 Points As Most Important Issue
It’s the Economy (and the Financial Meltdown), Stupid!

Sixty-five percent (65%) of Americans now see the economy as the most important issue of the campaign—up 6-points from two weeks ago. Although still relatively low, the proportion of Americans who think their personal financial situation will weaken over the next six months doubled this month, reaching 14 per cent, compared to 7 per cent in September. The shift in the Index, however, was mainly due to consumers' increased pessimism about their local economy.

U.S. Consumer Confidence Experiences Largest Single Month Decline, as Americans' Expectations for the Future Plummet

October 9, 2008

The implosion of Wall Street and the spreading economic crisis have taken a heavy toll on consumers, driving their confidence back down after a brief rally the past two months. According to the most recent results of the RBC CASH (Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household) Index, consumer confidence dropped 32 points in October - the largest single-month decline in overall sentiment since the Index began in January 2002.

AP-Ipsos Polls

AP/Ipsos Poll: Economy Top Issue, Energy Worries Grow Most  July 23, 2008

AP/Ipsos Poll: Economy Ties Iraq War As Nation's Top Problem  January 12, 2008

AP/Ipsos Poll: Growing Numbers See Economy As Top Problem Facing Nation
October 9, 2007

AP/Ipsos Poll: 1 In 5 Brought Laptops On Vacation, Stayed In Touch With Work
June 1, 2007

AP/Ipsos Poll: More Cite Financial Hardship From Gas Prices, Amid Signs of  
May 25, 2007   Growing Acceptance

Sources: RBC Cash Index: Financial Meltdown has Effect October 7, 2008 U.S. Consumer Confidence Experiences Largest Single Month Decline, as Americans' Expectations for the Future Plummet October 9, 2008 Drumbeat Of Bad News Continues To Drive Consumer Sentiment Down July 3, 2008 AP-Ipsos Polls: Economy Top Issue, Energy Worries Grow Most July 23, 2008 Economy Ties Iraq War As Nation's Top Problem 1/12/08 Growing Numbers See Economy As Top Problem Facing Nation October 9, 2007More Cite Financial Hardship From Gas Prices May 25, 2007

Print PDF Page for: Financial Polls Reflect the Stress of Fear