Spare Cash? Yes, We've Heard Of It

Economists wring their hands over Americans’ derisory savings rate, and they’ve got a point. Unfortunately, an ACNielsen survey finds that more than one-fourth of Americans have an unimpeachable excuse for their failure to save: After covering their basic living expenses, they’ve got nothing left to save (see the chart below). Despite their well-earned reputation for shiftlessness, men were less likely than women (22 percent vs. 30 percent) to say they have no spare cash left after paying their inescapable expenses.