Figuratively Speaking: Survey: Majority say recession persists

At the end of 2009, percentage of Americans who disagree with economic experts that the U.S. is no longer in a recession, according to polling firm StrategyOne: 78

Percentage who are filled with significant uncertainty and anxiety about the state of the U.S. economy and its prospects for a quick recovery in the new year: 87.

Less on the luxuries

Percentage of consumer spending that is now focused on repairing items rather than purchasing new items, according to a report by Kiwi Shoe Care: 8

Percentage of consumers who have reduced indulgent spending during this recession, notably on new wardrobe items, such as shoes: 66

Protect the family

Percentage of American adults age 30 and older who agree that the economic crisis has increased their desire to provide financial protection for their family, according to a survey on behalf of New York Life: 83

If something were to happen to the breadwinner in their family, percentage of adults older than 30 who say that they would primarily rely on life insurance: 32

Percentage who say that they would take an additional job: 22

Percentage who would buy a ticket and hope to win the lottery: 1

Value hunters

When asked what thoughts crossed their minds when making decisions to purchase food or household and personal products on their most recent grocery shopping trip, percentage of global consumers who indicated value, according to findings from a study of the consumer goods sector conducted by Ipsos Marketing: 64

Strategic defaults

Estimated percentage of defaults on mortgage loans that are strategic decisions, especially when home values have fallen by more than 15 percent, according to a study by the Kellogg School of Management: 25

Percentage of households that would default, even if they can afford to pay their mortgage, when the equity shortfall reaches 50 percent of the value of the house: 17

Percentage more likely people were to default when they know someone who defaulted: 82

Tax-dollar watch

The mean answer provided when Americans were asked how many cents of every tax dollar that goes to the federal government in Washington, D.C., is wasted, according to a Gallup poll: 49.7 cents

The mean answer provided when Americans were asked how many cents of every tax dollar that goes to their state government is wasted: 41.9 cents

The mean answer provided when Americans were asked how many cents of every tax dollar that goes to their local government is wasted: 36.6 cents

Behind on bills

Estimated number of Americans who lost their jobs in the first three months of the year, with more than 6 million jobs lost since the recession began, according to the American Bankers Association's Consumer Credit Delinquency Bulletin: 2 million

Rise in bank-card delinquencies in the last quarter to 4.75 percent of all accounts: 23 basis points

Rise in the balances on those delinquent accounts to 6.6 percent of the value of all outstanding bank card debt, marking a new record: 108 basis points

Percentage of consumers who say increased credit card rates, penalty fees, etc. is one of the key financial difficulties they are facing, according to the Consumer Reports Trouble Tracker Index: 15.1

Percentage who say they are unable to afford medical bills or medications: 13.7[[In-content Ad]]John MacIntyre is a Nova Scotia-based author and former city magazine editor. His "Figuratively Speaking" column, launched in 1989, is published in more than 40 newspapers and magazines.