This paper examines the role of financial stress in explaining the relationship between financial literacy and financial well-being among individuals in the United States. The 2018 FINRA National Financial Capability Study dataset is used for the empirical analyses of this study. The results found that financial literacy was positively associated with financial well-being. The study also found that the association between financial literacy and financial well-being was mediated by perceived financial stress experienced by individuals. Additionally, the results from the moderated mediation model showed that while financial stress mediated the association between financial literacy and financial well-being, the association between financial stress and financial well-being was moderated by financial literacy. Financial education was positively associated with financial literacy in this study. The broader implications of the main findings of this study for individuals’ sustainable financial well-being are presented for policymakers, financial educators, and financial counselors and planners.

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This study used the 2015 National Financial Capability Study to investigate the relationships among financial capability, financial education, and student loan debt outcomes. Specifically, this study examines four student loan outcomes: delinquency, stress, preparation, and satisfaction among borrowers who obtained loans for themselves. Three forms of financial capability (objective financial knowledge, subjective financial knowledge, and perceived financial capability) and two forms of financial education (formal school/workplace education and informal parental education) were used as potential predictors in the study. The Probit regression results showed that expectedly, several financial capability and financial education factors were positively associated with desirable financial outcomes such as loan calculation and loan satisfaction, and negatively associated with undesirable outcomes such as loan stress and loan delinquency. However, this study also showed several unexpected results. For example, objective financial knowledge was negatively associated with loan calculation and loan satisfaction, and subjective knowledge and formal financial education were positively associated with loan delinquency.

Research on housing discrimination and segregation usually focuses on federal-level actions, yet access to housing is determined locally. Local government leaders influence whether or not their communities provide housing to meet all residents' needs. This study uses a statewide survey of local leaders from 240 different municipalities in one Southeastern state to better understand their perceptions of local housing opportunities. The findings, which present areas for future research, suggest that the perceptions of some local leaders may be shaped by the housing needs of an idealized community. Additionally, the needs of some residents may be less visible to local leaders.

This study examines associations between a set of financial stress factors and three types of utilizations of mobile financial technology (fintech) from a stress-coping perspective. With data from the 2018 National Financial Capability Study, the results indicated that financial stress, perceived overindebtedness, and stressful financial stressors were positively related to the usage of mobile fintech for fundamental financial task management, mobile transaction, and mobile banking. Policy makers need to be aware of the opportunities generated within the growing fintech industry and its potential role as a stress-coping resource for consumers experiencing financial stress, perceived overindebtedness, and financial stressor events. Financial practitioners, educators, and institutions can apply the findings of this study as they develop and promote financial services and products through mobile devices to create greater access for individuals to cope with financial stress and difficulties.