How do you know when you have financially made it in life?

Less than one-third of Americans (31%) think they’ve financially “made it” in life, according to new research.A survey of 2,000 employed Americans split evenly by generation revealed that of those who don’t think they’re there yet, a little more than half (54%) believe that they are well on their way and will financially “make it” in their lifetime.Interestingly, more millennials than any other generation (34%) believe they’ve already made it. However, getting older isn’t always easier: only 27% of baby boomers believe they’ve reached financial success, and, of those who have not, only a third believe they someday will.What’s holding them back? Conducted by Talker Research for BOK Financial, survey results found that Americans believe external factors will impact their financial goals: the results of the presidential election (46%), interest rate changes (45%), and the job market (42%).Eight in 10 say their own definition of “making it financially” has evolved over time (79%) and the average net worth identified to financially “make it” is about $234,000.Half of those surveyed said that considering how their parents described finances when they entered adulthood, it’s harder to make it financially today than before (54%). “The uncertainty around the economy, politics, and other external factors can weigh heavily on people — and are right now,” said Jessica Jones with BOK Financial Advisors, an affiliate of BOK Financial.“And financial headwinds like high inflation and interest rates can make it feel like it’s harder to get ahead, but baby steps are key.

If someone is struggling to see success in their financial future, it’s important to just get started, even with a small savings account.”Today, financially “making it” comes with its own barriers; according to respondents, some of those include high cost of living (42%) and inflation (26%) or even their own personal spending habits (7%).Surprisingly, nearly half ...