Though life in the United States has changed dramatically since the 1950s, according to a survey John Hancock recently conducted, we still define the American Dream in much the same way as we did back then: a happyfamily, a beautiful home and a fulfilling career. Unfortunately, a whopping 64% of Americans believe they have a long way to go to achieve these dreams.¹
 

When digging a little deeper, we identified the top four obstacles preventing people from attaining their American Dream.

1. 46% OF AMERICANS FEEL DEBT IS HOLDING THEM BACK²
 

Reaching your dream starts with gaining financial independence. Begin by making a budget that’s well below your means, as its one of the most helpful ways to curb unnecessary spending and keep your savings on track. Explore our Budget 101 guide to learn more.
 

It’s also important to monitor your credit, as it determines many crucial things, from the rate you’re offered when financing your home to the cost of your car insurance. Read 5 Tips to a Killer Credit Score to learn more about improving and maintaining yours.
 

2. 75% OF AMERICANS DON’T HAVE ENOUGH SAVINGS FOR RETIREMENT³

Growing your savings can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. In addition to a 401K and IRAs, there are other steps you can take to safeguard your financial future. Start by building an emergency fund. Set up an automatic withdrawal from your paycheck. This way, you’re never tempted to spend funds that should be saved.
 

No matter where you are in your retirement planning, there are certain steps you can take to set yourself on the right path. Assess how far along you are by your age group with our Retirement Prep by Decade.
 

Additionally, an advisor can take a holistic look at your financial situation and help you draft a retirement plan that gets you closer to your American Dream.

3. 46% OF AMERICANS SAY THEIR STRESS LEVELS LIMIT ACHIEVING SUCCESS⁴
 

A positive mental outlook can help you realize your full potential, be productive and make meaningful contributions to your community. Incorporating healthy habits like meditating, keeping track of your sleep patterns and taking time to exercise can help. A program like John Hancock’s Life Insurance with Vitality can reward you for those healthy habits and may even save you money while you’re at it.
 

In fact, life insurance helps provide you with peace of mind by protecting your family’s well-being and assets, preserving your legacy for future generations.

4. 65% OF AMERICANS ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR WORK-LIFE BALANCE⁵
 

For most of us, juggling the demands of a career and a personal life is a constant challenge, leaving us feeling like we’re chasing our tails rather than living our dreams.
 

Finding balance isn’t impossible, especially when you make a plan. Working with an advisor to create a financial plan that doesn’t break the bank while you take that well-deserved getaway or vacation, can be an important step in cultivating the life you want while working a little less and playing a little more.
 

The American Dream doesn’t have to stay a dream. To make yours real, start by setting some goals and enlisting the help of the people who can help you reach them.