Half of Connecticut residents say they aren’t financially better off today than four years ago, with worries about higher fuel and food prices topping their concerns, a new survey shows.
Thirty-eight percent of Connecticut residents say they are better off than in 2008, while 10 percent say their finances are the same as they were, according to the second annual survey Monday from New York’s Siena College.
First Niagara Bank underwrote the survey.
Gasoline prices now pose a somewhat or very serious financial hardship to 75 percent of state residents while 76 percent is somewhat or very concerned about the impact of heating costs and 71 percent say grocery costs are having a serious impact on their finances, the survey said.
For the second year in a row, a greater percentage say they think our country’s best economic days are behind as opposed to about 45 percent who believe the economy is strong and that we will return to financial health.
“With about forty percent treading financial water, it isn’t surprising that residents are split on whether the economy and business conditions will improve or worsen in the near future,” said Don Levy, director of the Siena Research Institute.
