Top 3 Financial Issues Americans Face Today

Times are tough for many Americans today. Some financial experts suggest we are teetering on the verge of a modern day recession. Whatever the case one thing is true, we as Americans, are not financially prepared for the future. What is the definition of really being financially prepared? I believe financial preparedness is the result of having the following aspects in place:To be DEBT FREE, a strategic plan to have all major debt reduced to nil come time to retire, mortgage(s)includedTo have a working RETIREMENT plan, a strategically funded investment, designed to allow you to retire with all the money you need to continue your life style as you see fit, particularly a tax free plan not a 401K. To have adequate INSURANCE protection, a whole life or fixed universal life policy in place to not only protect the family from the impending reality of life, but to also serve as the vehicle for retirement investments. You see, most Americans today simply do not have a plan in place to achieve these goals and therefore are in real danger of finding themselves working as greeters at WalMart, in those most precious golden years. A harsh but realistic consequence for not planning properly. I need to point out, that this is the mindset we are brought up with. Think about it, why is it that the richest 3% know so much more about finance than the other 97% of us? Is it the Ivy League educations or are they mostly just born into wealth or could it be that only those who pay for it, get access to it? Maybe its only meant to be taught to the priveledged and not the rest of us, the truth is America makes a lot of money on our general ignorance. The banks know how to make and invest money, we all use banks, we pay their interest on their terms. We pay taxes and are told to invest money into our government designed retirement accounts such as 401K's, etc. Why not, its to their advantage that we use these vehicles for our retirement investment as they take nearly half of it from taxation when its time to retire.