Patterns of financial behaviors: implications for community educators and policymakers

Abstract

Using data from the Surveys of Consumers, we explore patterns of financial behaviors (cash flow management, saving, and investing) and the characteristics and learning preferences of households exhibiting these patterns. We find a wide range in diversity of financial behaviors among U.S. households. The only variables that consistently influenced having a high score for cash flow, saving, and investing behaviors were financial knowledge and financial learning experiences – those who knew more and those who learned from family, friends, and personal experiences had higher scores. The implication is that increases in knowledge and experience can lead to improvements in financial behaviors. We argue that one way to increase knowledge is to gain additional education, although we acknowledge that education is only one mechanism for influencing behavior. We conclude that a “one size fits all ” and a “one delivery technique fits all ” approach to financial education will be less effective than more targeted, tailored approaches. 1.

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