Many Americans remain wary about economy

Despite a widespread belief that the economy is beginning to get back on track after the 2008 recession, many Americans are still uneasy about the state of U.S. finances. With student loans, outstanding medical bills and consumer credit debt steadily increasing, Americans are not looking at the economic gains with high optimism. A recent poll from Bankrate.com showed that citizens are split on the economic situation, with 50 percent claiming they are very confident or somewhat confident that the U.S. economy will continue to make advances, while 48 percent admit they are not too confident or not confident at all. Bankrate's senior financial analyst Greg McBride expressed concern that a lack of confidence could translate into lowered spending habits, which could snowball into yet another economic downturn. Bankrate's poll also found that respondents who identified themselves as not at all confident in the economy were largely over age 50, in households with income under $50,000 yearly, had a high school education or less and were unemployed or retired. Though citizens are hearing news that the recovery is well underway, many face a different situation within their households. Creditcards.com revealed that the average amassed credit card debt per household with debt is $15,956, and cited a 2011 Federal Reserve report saying that American consumer debt totals $2.5 trillion.