Barbara Dafoe Whitehead

Thrift or Debt Barbara Dafoe Whitehead

In this appeal to the Texas Legislature, the Texas Thrift Coalition (a nonpartisan volunteer group of leaders and organizations) promotes thrift and encourages saving as a path to family prosperity and financial security for Texans. Drawing on the "2010 Survey of Texas Savers," the report presents five major findings, including:

1. Texas families face a savings crisis.

2. Anti-thrift institutions, such as payday lenders, are trapping Texas families into debt.

3. Texans see a danger in the rise of anti-thrifts.

4. Texans oppose the expansion of state-sponsored gamgling.

5. Texans want to save more.

The report concludes with six recommendations for change.