Most people "above average" financially

According to a Money poll conducted February 11-15, when asked "How do you rate your financial status?" Americans answered:

• 53.7% feel they are better off than other people of the same age and education level
• 36.3% say they are on par
• 9.9% believe they have fallen behind

54-10. Wow! How can people's perception be this far off from reality?