Poll: Floridians not upbeat about economy - South Florida Business Journal:

Despite some positive economic news of late, Floridians are not feeling very upbeat about the economy, a new poll finds.

More than 83 percent say they are concerned about their money challenges, while 43 percent don’t expect they will be financially better off a year from now, according to the poll, which was conducted as part of a new statewide financial education initiative called Money Wise Florida.

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The program is a financial literacy campaign that was created in partnership with Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink.

In addition to the poll, the project will include a 30-minute television special that will be broadcast statewide in 2010.

Among other findings:

  • Thirty-eight percent of those polled say they have personally suffered a financial crisis in the past year, 73 percent know someone who lost their job, and one-fourth say their home is worth less than their mortgage.
  • Fifty-five percent are not confident investing in stocks, real estate, buying a new house or car.
  • Seventy-two percent are not confident about changing jobs, starting a business or running debt.
  • Forty-seven percent will spend less on this holiday season.
  • Forty-three percent most likely will cut going out to eat from their budget.
  • Twenty-one percent most likely will cut out going to the movies.

Most Floridians report good basic financial habits: 95 percent say they check their credit card bills monthly, 92 percent say they check their bank statements monthly and two-thirds say they pay off their credit cards monthly.

“All that translates into a population that is largely frozen in place, unwilling to make the kind of changes, investments or purchases that could stimulate Florida's sluggish economy,” the report notes.