Paycheck to paycheck

Interesting blurb from Agora Financial.

30% of Americans making $100,000 or more each year are living paycheck to paycheck, reports a CareerBuilder study this week. That’s up from 21% last year -- a number that still seems awfully high.

61% of all Americans say they are in a similar bind… making just enough to finance their lifestyle every month. Just a year ago, 49% were living paycheck to paycheck.

The No. 1 way to make ends meet on a tough month? Cut savings. Check out these quick stats:

· 21% of correspondents have reduced or eliminated 401(k) contributions in the last six months
· 36% don’t put any money toward retirement
· 33% don’t save at all
· 30% that do put some away save less than $100 a month.

Puts an interesting twist on the much belabored rising savings rate, doesn’t it? The personal savings rate as reported by the government has nearly doubled from this time last year -- from roughly 2.5% to 5%. But to what end?