NEW YORK -- A study released today by Bankrate.com found that more Americans are holding back on nonessential spending, such as vacations or dining out, since the beginning of 2011, specifically due to the rise in gasoline prices. Of the respondents who have had to change their spending habits, 72% are from households with incomes less than $50,000 and 66% are retirees and those living in rural communities. The new study, which measures feelings of financial security among Americans, was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International and can be seen in its entirety here.

Among the findings:

Feelings of financial security among Americans, as measured by the Financial Security Index, rebounded from April's low of 93.5, back to the same level seen in January (98.5), with all components showing improvement.35% of Americans are less comfortable with their savings now compared to 12 months ago, down from 42% in April. One in six (16%) are more comfortable, up from 14% in April.A strong April jobs report, released the morning of May 6, buoyed Americans' feelings of job security with only 18% feeling less secure now than 12 months ago, an improvement from 25% in April (The Financial Security Index poll was conducted May 5-8, 2011).Americans are split on their overall financial security, with 27% reporting better overall financial security compared to 12 months ago and 28% saying they're worse-off. Those reporting better overall financial security are higher-income earners ($75,000-up), college graduates and those under age 50. Those reporting worse overall financial security are those with household incomes under $50,000, the unemployed and retirees.

"The sensitivity to gasoline prices voiced by Americans cuts both ways. Any sustained pullback in prices would be a boost to the economy, but a renewed increase in gas prices would be a further drag on growth," said Greg McBride, CFA, senior financial analyst for Bankrate.com.

Bankrate's Financial Security Index results are based on telephone interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,003 adults, ages 18 and older. The interviews were conducted from May 5 – May 8, 2011, by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Statistical results are weighted to correct known demographic discrepancies. The margin of sampling error for the complete set of weighted data is +/- 3.6 percentage points.