FORT WORTH, Texas — Responding to worsening economic conditions, Americans are increasing their short-term savings and paying more on short-term debt according to a new survey.

Compiled by Sentient Decision Science LLC, the First Command Financial Behaviors Index assesses trends among the American public's financial behaviors, attitudes and intentions through a monthly survey of approximately 1,000 U.S. consumers aged 25 to 70 with annual household incomes of at least $50,000. Results are reported quarterly.

According to the index, short-term savings for the typical family totaled $901 in September, up 29% from $696 in June. Payments on short-term debt totaled $1,010 in September, up 8% from $938 in June. Fewer consumers polled indicated that they will put more money into savings and investments next month. Additionally, fewer indicated that they will increase the amount they pay on their debt.

More than half (54%) of respondents indicated they were concerned about the cost of daily goods, up six points from February. Forty percent of respondents expressed concern about personal debt, up eight points from February and 25% said they were concerned about job security, up five points from February.