Are you counting the hours to pay day? You're not alone. More than three-quarters of workers (78 percent) are living paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet—up from 75 percent last year and a trait more common in women than men—81 vs. 75 percent, according to new CareerBuilder research. Thirty-eight percent of employees said they sometimes live paycheck to paycheck, 17 percent said they usually do, and 23 percent said they always do.

The national survey, which was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder this past spring, included representative samples of 2,369 full-time employers and 3,462 full-time U.S. workers across industries and company sizes in the private sector.

Having a higher salary doesn't necessarily mean money woes are behind you, with nearly one in 10 workers making $100,000 or more (9 percent) saying they usually or always live paycheck to paycheck and 59 percent in that income bracket in debt. Twenty-eight percent of workers making $50,000 -$99,999 usually or always live paycheck to paycheck, 70 percent are in debt; and 51 percent of those making less than $50,000 usually or always live paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet, while 73 percent are in debt.

Meanwhile, a quarter of workers (25 percent) haven't been able to make ends meet every month in the last year, and 20 percent have missed payment on some smaller bills. Further, 71 percent of all workers say they're in debt—up from 68 percent last year. While 46 percent say their debt is manageable, more than half of those in debt (56 percent) say they feel they will always be in debt. And it should be noted that 18 percent of all workers have reduced their 401k contribution and/or personal savings in the last year, more than a third (38 percent) do not participate in a 401k plan, IRA or comparable retirement plan, and 26 percent haven't set aside any savings each month in the last year.

Less than a third of workers (32 percent) stick to a clearly defined budget, and a slight majority (56 percent) save $100 or less a month:

• None: 26 percent
• Less than $50: 15 percent
• $51 to $100: 16 percent
• $101 to $250: 14 percent
• $251 to $500: 11 percent
• $501 to $750: 5 percent
• $751 to $1,000: 4 percent
• More than $1,000: 10 percent 

Still, despite financial woes, there are certain things employees aren't willing to give up. When asked what they'd absolutely not give up, regardless of financial concerns, employees cited:

• Internet connection: 54 percent
• Mobile device (smartphone, tablet, etc.): 53 percent
• Driving: 48 percent
• Pets: 37 percent
• Cable: 21 percent
• Going out to eat: 19 percent
• Traveling: 17 percent
• Education: 13 percent
• Buying gifts for people: 13 percent
• Alcohol: 11 percent

Source: CareerBuilder

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