PRINCETON, NJ -- Nearly one in three Americans prepare a detailed written or computerized household budget each month that tracks their income and expenses -- a large majority do not.

Those with at least some college education, conservatives, Republicans, independents, and those making $75,000 a year or more are slightly more likely to prepare a detailed household budget than are their counterparts.

These results are from Gallup's annual Economy and Personal Finance survey, conducted April 4-14, 2013. Gallup asked Americans about several types of financial management tools to gauge how they track their finances.

Slightly fewer Americans (30%) prepare a long-term financial plan outlining their savings and investment goals in detail.

Those with at least some college education and those making $75,000 a year or more are most likely to prepare a long-term financial plan that outlines their savings and investment goals in detail.

Americans Rely on Online Programs More Than Advisors to Help With Finances

Americans are slightly more likely to say they use a computer or online financial program to manage their money than to use an accountant of certified financial planner -- 32% vs. 24%.

This is about flipped from a decade ago, the last time Gallup asked this question, when 30% used an accountant or financial planner and 24% an online program.

Those with at least some college education and those making $75,000 a year or more are most likely to use an accountant or certified financial planner and to use a computer or online program.

Implications

Americans who prepare a detailed household budget are in the minority in the U.S. It is certainly possible that the strain of the recession or that modern banking technology -- the ability to check one's bank account balance or get money at any time -- has caused fewer Americans to feel the need to budget. Still, good management of a family's finances -- and the avoidance of financial difficulties -- usually involves creating a family budget.

Interestingly, online financial management has increased slightly over the past decade. Given the growth in online banking and computer use in general, it seems more Americans would find this a convenient way to manage their finances. Still, online financial management is slightly more popular today than it was in 2003, and Americans now use such programs more than accountants or financial planners.