• by Sarah Mahoney , December 13, 2010

While zippier holiday sales may be good news for retailers, a new survey from Bankrate.com spells trouble ahead for consumers: Even though the majority are worrying more about their financial security, 66% haven't made a holiday budget.

"What's really alarming is that lower income households are even less likely to have a spending plan," Greg McBride, senior financial analyst at Bankrate tells Marketing Daily. "It's also worrisome in that it isn't a surprise—people know December is coming, but still don't make a budget."

Some 43% of those earning $75,000 or more per year have a holiday budget for gifts, entertaining and travel, compared to 24% who earn less than $30,000 per year. "It means consumers may find themselves in a hole that will take most of next year to dig out of," he says, despite their doubts about their own finances.