Millions of Americans in difficult straits.

• Position: YOUR LIFE - Brief article

Millions of U.S. citizens are having trouble making ends meet, according to a Marist Poll. Some 37% describe the state of their household finances either as weak (17%) or somewhat weak (20%). That 17% of adults translates into approximately 41,000,000 Americans who are struggling to get by. This compares with 63% who say their financial situation either is strong (24%) or somewhat strong (39%).

"Despite the fact that many Americans are still struggling to make ends meet, optimism about their personal finances is the highest it has been in five years," says Lee M. Miringoff, director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Not surprisingly, 30% of adults who earn less than $50,000 annually describe their finances as weak, while only five percent of those who earn more say the same. Those 45 to 59 years old, who still may be supporting their children while at the same time caring for parents, are more likely than other age...