Most Americans optimistic about finances in 2013

Whiting, Ind. -- More than half of U.S. adults are feeling positive about what 2013 may hold for them financially, according to survey results released Thursday by CouponCabin.com and conducted by Harris Interactive.



The survey found that 52% of U.S. adults are optimistic that 2013 will be a better year for them financially than years past, up from 48% last year.



On the flip side, 37% said they do not think 2013 will be better financially, while 11% said they weren't sure. Nearly four-in-10 (39%) said they plan to overhaul their finances in 2013.



When it comes to how U.S. adults will do the overhauling, topping the list was the 43% who will focus on tackling debts for their credit cards, car and mortgage.



"Regardless of their financial situation, many people see the start of a new year as a chance to refocus and retool their finances," said Jackie Warrick , president and chief savings officer at CouponCabin.com. "Our survey reveals more people are optimistic about what the coming year holds than they were last year, but it's not always an easy road. Tough financial challenges still exist for many Americans and will continue as the economy stabilizes."



Thirty-nine percent of those polled said they feel less financially secure than they did at the beginning of 2012, while 40% said they are neither more or less financially secure. More than one-in-five (22%) said that when they look back at the start of 2012, they feel more financially secure now than they did at the beginning of the year.