Top 10 Financial Stresses in Family Life

(Percentage of families experiencing stress)

Money for food, clothing and energy 45%
Purchase of a car, or other major item 43%
Taking out a loan 31%
Children’s education 29%
Problems with family income 26%
Medical/dental expenses 23%
Purchase or construction of a home 16%
Bad investments 16%
Overuse of credit cards 15%
Starting a business 10%

Together Forever, Aid Association for Lutherans, Appleton, WI, 1997, p. 51