The economy is strong, and the housing market is relatively stable, save for the lack of inventory. Despite these details, however, Americans are still concerned about two financial thorns in their sides: healthcare and the rising cost of living. And their fears are not unfounded. With an increase in the cost of living by 2.4 percent in one year alone, Americans are feeling the weight of trying to juggle food, educational costs, and rent or mortgage payments. Healthcare is also a financial drain, costing an average $5,000 in out-of-pocket costs per year with coverage. These two factors coupled with the rising costs of housing will put even more pressure on those who are struggling to get by day-by-day. And for perspective, wages rose at a snail's pace last yea by only 0.2 percent.
A strong stock market and low unemployment rate have not dispelled Americans’ fears that the rising costs of everyday expenses threaten their long-term financial health.
Almost half (47%) of Americans believe that cost of living is the biggest threat to their financial security and long-term investments, according to TD Ameritrade’s financial disruptions survey, which polled over 1,000 U.S. adults with at least $10,000 in investable assets.
Almost just as many (44%) also fear the rising cost of health care.
That’s not surprising, Tom Butch, managing director of retail distribution at TD Ameritrade, tells CNBC Make It. Health care, in particular, has had “high prominence and visibility” as a national issue for so long, which has spurred many concerns about its availability and relative cost.
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