Research in Financial Planning and Behavior
Through First Command’s 50 years of service to our clients, we’ve learned that regardless of one’s income and goals, financial behavior — one’s everyday choices and long-term practices toward saving, spending and investing — is the key determinant of financial well-being.
Now, research commissioned by First Command offers evidence that the productive behaviors encouraged by a financial plan provide not only the foundation for greater financial security, but also lead to greater emotional security in times of economic turbulence.
The findings are compelling:
- The practice of saving increases financial optimism.
- As the ratio of savings to debt increases, so do feelings of security.
- Confidence in financial matters grows with a financial plan.
To learn more about this landmark, two-year study involving more than 9,300 American families, read the report, Finding Financial Security in Uncertain Economic Times. And bookmark and return to this page regularly for the latest results of our ongoing research, including the quarterly First Command Financial Behaviors Index.