Survey: Valley residents confident on ’13

Despite the looming fiscal cliff, Phoenix residents are more financially optimistic heading into the new year, according to a recent survey. The financial-security index from Country Financial in December rose to 64.4, up 0.5 points from two months earlier, reflecting the sentiments of 500 Valley residents.

Confidence improved in several measures, including that for college funding. Country’s national index rose 1.1 points to 66.3, a three-year high.

Valley residents are mostly split on their 2013 outlooks, with 37 percent saying 2013 will be better for them financially, compared with 32 percent who expect it to be worse and 24 percent anticipating it will be about the same.

Among key actions planned for 2013, 33 percent say they will work to reduce debt, 24 percent plan to boost savings and 14 percent intend to focus on retirement planning.

Read more at country financialsecurityindex.com.