WILMINGTON, Del. -

Results from a recent survey showed it might be the woman in the family who can best assess if auto loan terms, especially the monthly payment, can fit into the household budget.

Findings from a poll commissioned by Working Mother and Chase Card Services showed 59 percent of working mothers say they manage household expenses alone as the family's chief financial officer.

This level is compared to 30 percent of working mothers who say they oversee household expenses in a joint effort with their spouse and 11 percent who say their spouse manages household finances.

Still, survey orchestrators indicated three quarters of mothers (76 percent to be exact) say their household finances are managed successfully.

"The dynamic structure of household duties is constantly in flux, especially as the number of dual-income families has risen," said Jennifer Owens, editorial director of Working Mother Media. "It's not surprising, then, to see more and more career-oriented working mothers taking the lead on their family's finances."

One survey element could be a positive indicator for sales and potential F&I income. Looking into 2013, working mothers are optimistic as more than three quarters (79 percent) of working mothers say that they are confident they will be better off financially in 2013 than they were in 2012.

In line with the rest of the nation's financial and economic concerns, Owens mentioned working mothers' top priorities in 2013 are centered on a set of financial objectives: saving more than last year (56 percent), making more money (54 percent), and putting more money into their kids' college education funds than last year (36 percent).

Working Mother and Chase Slate joined forces to conduct the survey titled, "Life of a Working Mother: Career, Family and Finances." The survey was fielded among 822 working mothers nationwide between Dec. 7–19 about their expectations, challenges and goals in 2013.

Despite actions by federal lawmakers associated with the fiscal cliff that pinched a little more out of paychecks for Social Security, Edmunds.com thinks households that are on surer financial footing should be able to make vehicle purchases — no matter who is overseeing the family budget.

"For car buyers whose personal financial houses are in order, 2013 is likely to offer the best economic environment for car-buying in the last five years," said Edmunds.com chief economist Lacey Plache. "Our economy is not out of the woods yet, but prudent consumers don't have to worry about the fiscal-cliff measures putting a crimp in their ability to buy the cars they need and want."
 

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