2017’s Most & Least Financially Savvy States

From Wallet Hub, Sep 27, 2017 

Financial literacy is key to sound financial health. But financial savvy is what differentiates the comfortable from the truly stable. Unfortunately, a staggering lack of money smarts plagues Americans, according to a study on financial literacy conducted by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. About 42 percent of U.S. adults, for instance, grade their knowledge of personal finance a “C” or worse. Meanwhile, three out of five admit to not keeping a budget, one of the most basic life skills that every adult should master even as early as high school.

As this report reflects, however, residents of certain states are sharper than their peers when it comes to maintaining their household balance sheets. To determine where American consumers set the best example, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 23 key metrics that represent financial savvy — or lack thereof. Their data set ranges from median credit score to annual savings-account average to credit-card debt as a share of income.

read … Full Report

Hawaii

• Rank -- 17th
• Score -- 60.52
• Debt & Spending Rank – 25th
• Financial Literacy Rank – 42nd
• Credit Rank – 5th
• Saving Rank – 11th