Many CFOs pinching own pennies

Even professional money counters are worried about their piggy banks.

In a recent random survey of American chief financial officers of companies with 20 or more employees, 27 percent said they plan to work more than they did five years ago. Another quarter said the current climate is so uncertain they can't predict when they will retire.

However, 43 percent said the recession isn't affecting their retirement timeline.

Most of the CFOs who said they are pushing back their retirement age goals cited the state of the economy and the tumbling stock market, especially its effects on their savings. Another 11 percent cited Social Security concerns, while 10 percent said health care costs are prolonging their working years.

The survey was developed by Robert Half Management Resources, a unit of staffing company Robert Half International Inc. It polled 1,426 CFOs in U.S. companies by telephone from Dec. 17-Jan. 14.

Recession changing our behaviors

Layoffs, foreclosures and seemingly endless headlines on the tanking economy are taking their toll on Americans' psyches and habits, one recent survey says.

The poll, by insurer Country Financial, found that 75 percent of adults surveyed said the issue of money and the economy were very or somewhat stressful topics for their families. Respondents ages 18-29, the youngest group, said they were the most anxious, with 52 percent saying these conversations were very stressful.

The current economic climate initiated more arguments with spouses or children for 33 percent of those surveyed. The youngest group of survey takers and the poorest, those who reported yearly income under $20,000, were most likely to say the bad economy caused more familial fighting.

Americans are also reporting changing habits, with 68.5 percent of adults saying they are now limiting family outings, such as going to movies and dining out.

Another 53 percent said the economic environment of the past year has permanently changed the way their families spend and save.

The survey polled 1,169 adult Americans by phone. It was conducted on Nov. 20 and polled only those who had children at home. The margin of error was 3 percentage points.