Subjective financial knowledge, prudent behaviour and income

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 934-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonore Riitsalu ◽  
Rein Murakas
Keyword(s):  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Financial Knowledge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Objective Knowledge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Subjective Knowledge ◽  
Subjective Financial Knowledge ◽  
Behaviour Score

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study how subjective and objective knowledge of finance, behaviour in managing personal finances and socio-economic status affect financial well-being. Design/methodology/approach The financial well-being score is constructed in quantitative financial literacy survey data from Estonia as the arithmetic mean of four statements on a five-point scale. Four hypotheses are tested in multiple regression analysis. Findings Subjective knowledge has a stronger relation with financial well-being than objective knowledge. Financial behaviour score and income level correlate with financial well-being. Research limitations/implications The paper contributes to literature on financial literacy, subjective financial knowledge and financial well-being. In future research, psychological factors and future orientated financial well-being should be included, and their relationship to subjective well-being could be analysed further. Practical implications The results highlight the importance of subjective knowledge and sound behaviour for improving financial well-being. Providers of financial services should address these more in the design of their services and communication. Social implications Policymakers developing national strategies for financial education need to address subjective financial knowledge for increasing financial well-being in society. Originality/value Knowledge, behaviour and subjective knowledge have not been used simultaneously in the analysis of financial well-being in Europe before.

Financial education and financial satisfaction

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 805-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Jian Xiao ◽  
Nilton Porto
Keyword(s):  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Financial Behavior ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Financial Satisfaction ◽  
Financial Capability ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Factors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate roles of financial literacy, financial behavior, and financial capability as mediating factors between financial education and financial satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach Data are from the 2012 National Financial Capability Study, a large national data set with detailed information on financial satisfaction, education, literacy, behavior, capability, and related variables. Mediation analyses are used to answer research questions. Findings Financial education may affect financial satisfaction, a subjective measure of financial well-being, through financial literacy, financial behavior, and financial capability variables. Results show that subjective financial literacy, desirable financial behavior and a financial capability index (a sum of Z-scores of objective financial literacy, subjective financial literacy, desirable financial behavior, and perceived financial capability) are strong mediators between financial education and financial satisfaction. Research limitations/implications The study has used cross sectional data that can only document associations between financial education and satisfaction and the mediators between them. Future research could use relevant longitudinal data to verify multiple benefits of financial education. Practical implications The findings have implications for financial service professionals to take advantages of multiple benefits of financial education in content acquisition, confidence in knowledge and ability, and action taking when they communicate with their clients. Social implications Policy makers on consumer financial education may use the information to advocate and promote effective education programs to improve consumer financial well-being. Originality/value This study is the first of this kind to examine the association between financial education and financial satisfaction and several financial capability variables as mediating factors.

Living beyond one’s means: evidence from Malaysia

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiing Jia Loke
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Practical Knowledge ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Financial Knowledge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Financial Behaviour

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to identify the determinants of the probability of living beyond one’s means. The paper also explores the coping mechanisms of those financially distressed as well as the debt taking behaviour of consumers. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses data obtained from the OECD International Network on Financial Education pilot study on Measuring Financial Literacy in 2010 for the case of Malaysia. A logistic regression model is used to identify the main determinants of the probability that a consumer will live beyond his/her means. The analysis is carried out by using a set of socio-economic factors and the individual’s financial behaviour and attitudinal characteristics as explanatory variables. Findings – The findings indicate that low income and seasonal income earners are more vulnerable to financial distress. Furthermore, having a higher education, higher financial knowledge and prudent financial behaviour and attitude do not necessarily translate into better financial management. Family and friends provide the main source of financial assistance in times of need. Research limitations/implications – The assessment of financial knowledge should go beyond individual’s knowledge on financial concepts and theories. Practical knowledge on financial and cash flow management should be assessed. Practical implications – The study reiterates the importance of financial education. It is imperative to include financial education as part of the schools’ curriculum and also to be incorporated as part of the Continuous Professional Development modules for working adults. Originality/value – The study is based on the first nationwide study of consumer finances in Malaysia. It contributes to the literature by integrating financial behaviour and attitudinal factors into the analysis of the ability of individuals to live within their means. The findings also show the limitations of the existing self-assessment of financial behaviour and attitude and the assessment of financial knowledge.

Investigating the financial overconfidence of student-athletes

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-398
Author(s):  
Megan Ann McCoy ◽  
Kenneth J. White ◽  
Kim Love
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Financial Stress ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Personal Finance ◽  
Financial Knowledge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Impact

Purpose There is a paucity of empirical research that explores the financial well-being of collegiate student-athletes. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the key aspects of financial well-being (e.g. financial knowledge, financial self-efficacy and finance-related stress levels) of varsity athletes at US colleges and universities. Design/methodology/approach The authors used data from the National Student Financial Wellness Study. The data were analyzed using general linear regression models. Findings The findings suggest student-athletes have lower financial knowledge than students who are non-athletes. Despite their lower levels of financial knowledge, these student-athletes report higher levels of financial self-efficacy. Furthermore, even when controlling for scholarship funding, student-athletes reported lower levels of financial stress than their counterparts. One could interpret this as student-athletes having a false sense of confidence in their money management behaviors. This overconfidence can impact many areas of their overall financial well-being. Alternatively, non-athletes may not be as financially confident as they should be. Research limitations/implications This study could be replicated with stronger measures (e.g. Financial Self-Efficacy Scale), with the inclusion of subjective financial knowledge measures, comparing the impact of demographic variables. As, most financial constructs have gender differences (Farrell et al., 2016) and race differences (Amatucci and Crawley, 2011) and depend upon college major (Fosnacht and Calderone, 2017). Another limitation of this study is the small percentage of student-athletes, a common problem with research in this area. Further research is also needed to unpack the finding that self-efficacy decreases at higher levels of financial knowledge. Practical implications It is evident that college students (athletes/non-athletes) need financial education. For universities and college coaches, this study could be used as a rationale for providing financial education for their athletes. The addition of financial courses could be used as a recruiting tool for collegiate coaches and benefit the university. Requiring financial education could also benefit universities long term as it may potentially increase the donor possibilities by alumni. As a final note, it is important that financial courses figure out ways to improve financial self-efficacy alongside financial knowledge, as findings suggest both are integral to decreasing financial stress. Social implications Less than 4 percent of universities in the USA require students to take a personal finance course (Bledsoe et al., 2016). If more universities included personal finance as a graduation requirement and did more to engage student-athletes (and non-athletes) in financial planning, then the average level of financial knowledge would likely improve on campuses across the USA. In addition, increasing young adults financial self-efficacy could improve financial stress which is linked to mental health and physical health. Originality/value This study provides the first empirical look into the financial well-being of collegiate student-athletes across the USA. Although there are many benefits to participation in college sports, student-athletes face additional time pressures and a predisposition to clustering around certain majors. Findings suggest that collegiate athletes need additional support around their financial literacy and non-athletes may need support developing financial self-efficacy. These two findings should be used by academic institutions and athletic departments to determine how to encourage financial health in their student-athletes and general student body.

Financial Knowledge, Confidence, Credit Use, and Financial Satisfaction

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A. Atlas ◽  
Jialing Lu ◽  
P. Dorin Micu ◽  
Nilton Porto
Keyword(s):  
Credit Card ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Financial Knowledge ◽  
Strong Interactions ◽  
Financial Satisfaction ◽  
Financial Behaviors ◽  
Subjective Knowledge ◽  
Subjective Financial Knowledge ◽  
The Right ◽  
Credit Card Use

This article investigates associations between confidence about financial knowledge and two outcome variables, financial behaviors and financial satisfaction. On one hand, subjective financial knowledge (confidence) is necessary to make proactive decisions, yet overconfidence has been associated with a range of negative financial behaviors and outcomes. Both types of objective and subjective knowledge may be related to critical financial behaviors and choices such as credit card usage which in turn may be associated with financial satisfaction, an important component of consumer well-being. This article analyzes data from the 2015 National Financial Capability Study to examine how financial knowledge confidence relates to credit card behaviors and financial satisfaction. We use mediation and floodlight analyses to uncover relevant relationships between variables of interest. We find evidence that confidence is associated with healthy credit card use that contributes to financial satisfaction. We also observe strong interactions with knowledge to find that confidence is more strongly associated with credit card use and overall financial satisfaction as knowledge increases. Findings from this study can help financial educators and advisors to deliver the right mix of financial knowledge to better financial choices and behaviors.

scholarly journals Multinomial Logistic Regression to Estimate the Financial Education and Financial Knowledge of University Students in Chile

Information ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 379
Author(s):  
Hanns de la Fuente-Mella ◽  
Benito Umaña-Hermosilla ◽  
Marisela Fonseca-Fuentes ◽  
Claudio Elórtegui-Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Resources ◽  
Financial Knowledge ◽  
Degree Programs ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Criterion Development

All individuals face decisions during their lifetime that directly influence the economic well-being of their families. Therefore, financial education can be a fundamental tool to maximize our economic resources and use them wisely. A virtual survey was administered to 410 volunteer students belonging to a public university in southern Chile. The objective was to determine the level of financial knowledge and appreciation of financial education of future professionals. The most important results demonstrate a reality in which young people said they had the habit of saving and budgeting at home and were responsible for paying their bills on time. However, only a very small number of participants claimed having a superior level of knowledge regarding financial literacy. The main challenge for universities is to include this topic in the elective curriculum of all degree programs to promote financial criterion development that contributes to the comprehensive training and professional competencies of future graduates.

scholarly journals Investigating the level of financial literacy of university students

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 845-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Israel José dos Santos Felipe ◽  
Harrison Bachion Ceribeli ◽  
Túlio Queiroz Lana
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
University Students ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Financial Knowledge ◽  
Financial Behavior ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Financial Attitudes

AbstractConsidering that the quality of financial decisions taken by individuals depends on their financial knowledge, abilities and attitudes, it is possible to state that the well-being of a population depends on how financially literate it is. In this context, the aim of this study was to measure the financial literacy level of university students in north of Mexico. The research method used was the survey and the data collected were analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique. As results, it was possible to confirm that financial attitudes of university students of north of Mexico influence their financial behavior. However, it was not confirmed that financial knowledge of these students impacts their financial behavior. As a high relationship between financial attitudes, financial behavior and financial knowledge of analyzed individuals was not found, it is concluded that the level of financial literacy of university students in the north of Mexico is low. It implies in the necessity to invest in financial literacy programs that could help this population to better manage their resources, what would certainly impact on its savings and consumption decisions, and retirement planning.Keywords: Financial Literacy. Financial Education. Structural Equation Modeling. Mexican Students. Investigando o nível de alfabetização financeira de estudantes universitários ResumoConsiderando que a qualidade das decisões financeiras tomadas pelos indivíduos depende de seus conhecimentos, habilidades e atitudes financeiras, é possível afirmar que o bem-estar de uma população depende do quão financeiramente alfabetizada ela é. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi mensurar o grau de alfabetização financeira dos estudantes universitários do norte do México. O método de pesquisa utilizado foi a survey e os dados coletados foram analisados por meio da técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais. Como resultados, foi possível confirmar que as atitudes financeiras dos universitários do norte do México influenciam seu comportamento financeiro. Todavia, não se confirmou que o conhecimento financeiro desses estudantes impacta seu comportamento financeiro. Como não se encontrou uma forte relação entre os conhecimentos, atitudes e comportamentos financeiros dos indivíduos analisados, conclui-se que o nível de alfabetização financeira dos estudantes universitários do norte do México é baixo. Isso implica na necessidade de investir em programas de alfabetização financeira para auxiliar essa população a melhor gerir seus recursos, o que certamente irá impactar em suas decisões de poupança e consumo, assim como em seu planejamento de aposentadoria.Palavras-chave: Alfabetização financeira. Educação financeira. Modelagem de equações Estruturais. Estudantes mexicanos.

Enhancing customer knowledge: the role of banks in financial well-being

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 459-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio Losada-Otalora ◽  
Carlos Augusto Valencia Garcés ◽  
Jorge Juliao-Rossi ◽  
Pedro Mario Donado ◽  
Efraín Ramírez F.
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Financial Knowledge ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Transparency ◽  
Cultural Variables ◽  
Objective Financial Knowledge ◽  
Subjective Financial Knowledge

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of banks in enhancing consumer knowledge aiming to increasing customer’s financial well-being. Design/methodology/approach This research applied two quantitative studies with customers of banks in a Latin American country. The literature review and the results of the data analysis founded the development of a model that relates bank information transparency and subjective financial well-being through consumer financial knowledge. Findings By being transparent banks may transform the financial well-being of their customers. Particularly, this paper shows that consumer financial knowledge mediates the relationship between bank information transparency and the subjective financial well-being of individuals. However, the mediational effect occurs by subjective but not objective financial knowledge. Research limitations/implications The mediational model of this research does not take in consideration the role that individual factors play in the exposition and processing of the information provided by banks and its final impact on the subjective well-being of individuals. Also, this paper does not explore potential moderators of the theoretical relationships neither include cultural variables in the analysis. Originality/value Firm transparency has been related to various constructs in the marketing literature; however, its impact on consumer financial well-being is under-researched. This paper shows that companies need to aim to increase the subjective financial knowledge of their customers as a way to improve ultimate well-being of their customers.

Can gamification improve financial behavior? The moderating role of app expertise

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 951-975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Bayuk ◽  
Suzanne Aurora Altobello
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Financial Behavior ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Measures ◽  
Subjective Knowledge ◽  
Financial Applications ◽  
Social Features

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore potential benefits of gamification (application of game-playing elements) for financial well-being and motivation to save. Design/methodology/approach A preliminary survey of college students explored how gamification principles incorporated into money-savings/personal finance smartphone apps could improve financial well-being. The main study utilized Mechanical Turk participants, exposing them to financial game app descriptions that emphasized social features (e.g. leaderboards and ability to share achievements) or economic features (e.g. ability to earn real money or a higher interest rate). Objective and subjective financial measures including expertise with financial apps, perceived benefits of financial apps and behavioral intentions were examined. Findings Financial worry, financial literacy, subjective knowledge and expertise with money-savings/financial applications predicted financial well-being. Additionally, consumers varied in their preferences for certain financial game app features based on past financial app experience. Those who already used a financial app tend to exhibit higher subjective (though not objective) knowledge, and want both “social” and “economic” features of financial applications, whereas those with no experience are more motivated by economic features. Practical implications These results could be used to guide game designers regarding which features may be more attractive to consumers depending on their prior expertise with financial smartphone applications. Financial services marketing would benefit from further research into whether smartphone financial applications that emphasize social features have benefits for consumers’ motivation and financial well-being. Originality/value Examining college students about to enter the real world and the general population, this project contributes to research to improve understanding of financial well-being by examining how already having a financial gamification application impacts perceptions of knowledge and expertise, as well as intentions to save given a more socially focused vs economically focused savings app. Additional research needs to further explore gamification as an experimental intervention to ultimately improve both subjective financial well-being and objective financial behaviors, especially for consumers with lower expertise and high risk of financial vulnerability.

Personal factors as antecedents of perceived financial well-being: evidence from Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 1004-1024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateus Canniatti Ponchio ◽  
Rafaela Almeida Cordeiro ◽  
Virginia Nicolau Gonçalves
Keyword(s):  
Financial Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Money Management ◽  
Financial Security ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Saving ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of consumer spending self-control (CSSC), personal saving orientation (PSO), materialism, financial knowledge (FK) and time perspective (TP) on Brazilian consumers’ perceived financial well-being. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual framework is provided to support the research hypotheses. A survey with 1,027 respondents allowed the research hypotheses to be tested by means of regression-based models. Findings The findings show that the two dimensions of financial well-being – current money management stress and future financial security – are predicted by CSSC, materialism and TP; PSO also predicts future financial security. TP moderates the effect of materialism on current money management stress, and CSSC mediates this relationship. Research limitations/implications The role of FK in predicting financial well-being is weakened in the presence of the psychological variables investigated, which has important implications for financial education efforts. The use of survey data alone limits the research findings, as the advocated causal relationships are based solely on theory; gathering experimental data to further support the findings is a possibility for future research. Practical implications Banks and other financial institutions can create tools to stimulate control of their customers’ day-to-day spending and try to show assertive projections to evidence the impact of their present actions on their financial future, enhancing personal awareness and promoting overall well-being. Originality/value The authors advance knowledge on the antecedents of financial well-being and offer two explanations involving moderating and mediating relationships that enhance the understanding of the individual differences that shape current money management stress.

Evaluating the effects of sociodemographic characteristics and financial education on saving behavior

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 1423-1438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mouna Amari ◽  
Bassem Salhi ◽  
Anis Jarboui
Keyword(s):  
Risk Aversion ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Saving Behavior ◽  
Literacy Level ◽  
Education Training ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe objective of this study is to explore the effects of financial literacy level and risk aversion on the saving behavior. The literature review showed dialectical results. Therefore, this study attempts to clarify the debatable of these results by studying the mediating effect of risk aversion on the relationships between demographics determinants and saving behavior moderated by the effect of the financial literacy level.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from the University of Normandy; the study sample included 516 respondents representing different segments of French households. The structural equation analysis was utilized to control the impact of financial literacy as a moderate variable and the risk aversion as a mediator variable among the link between sociodemographic factors and saving behavior.FindingsThe results demonstrated that there were significant effects of demographics factors on risk aversion. Moreover, financial literacy moderates the relationships between risk aversion and saving behavior.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitation of this research is the small size of the study sample. This paper is restricted to French households. Future financial education training should cover the European context.Practical implicationsThis study provides further evidence that financial literacy should be considered an important factor for improving household well-being. The paper encourages governments and financial institutions to create a national financial education program.Originality/valueThis paper is the first attempt to employ a sample of low-income households after financial education training in the French context.

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