The Spectrem Affluent Investor Index (SAII)® rose for the first time in four months and the Spectrem Millionaire Investor Index (SMII)® followed suit with a more dramatic rise of their own.

Not Investing reached a new high this month, though many of the other investments went up as well. Spectrem’s newest study, Attitudes of Affluent Investors on Surviving the Economic Crisis shows that millionaires are interested in Real Estate, and December’s Investment Preferences demonstrates that. Millionaires reported a 17% interest while the Affluent only 3.9%.

The economy is still the most serious threat to achieving financial goals, but it is not as pronounced as it was in September. Perhaps as the country settles into its new political reality and waits with bated breath for the financial bailout to affect the market place, their overall economic worries have eased.

The most dramatic increase as a concern this month is unemployment. National unemployment numbers are rising across the country and the affluent are worried. There have been job cuts across almost all industries as companies look at letting employees go to save money.

Market conditions have increased as a threat since this summer. In June they only showed as a 6%, and are now at 19%. This could be influenced by dire warnings of a slow holiday retail season and watching the auto industry with their hats in hand, asking for federal aid.

Political Climate is still a concern and many are anxious how President-elect Obama will handle the passel of problems he is inheriting. All eyes will be on Washington in January.

The Household Outlook has risen in December all five years of it’s existence, perhaps reacting to the general feeling of good cheer, a time traditionally spent off of work and with family and friends. Indeed, many economic matters seem to go on hold for December, waiting for the new year and new budgets in January.

Though there are still many concerns like the  economy, market conditions, and unemployment just to name a few, the affluent are perhaps looking to the new year with hope. January will bring a new calendar year, many times new budgets, a new Presidential administration, and perhaps a light at the end of the economic crisis tunnel.

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