budgeting skills of abm students research

Spending Behavior of Selected ABM Senior High School Students in General de Jesus College

• Nikka Alexis Barlis General de Jesus College
• Maxenne Santiago General de Jesus College
• Jerome Ashley Ruanes General de Jesus College
• Erika Mae Francisco General de Jesus College
• Chariz dela Cruz General de Jesus College
• Kimberly dela Cruz General de Jesus College

Students’ spending habits are vital in shaping their long-term financial well-being. This research aims to provide insights into the spending behaviors of ABM senior high school students and identify key determinants that influence their financial choices in life. A descriptive research method was employed, utilizing the planned behavior theory. A structured questionnaire as the primary data collection tool was applied. A simple random sampling technique was administered to 204 students from senior high school ABM Strand in General de Jesus College. The questionnaire assessed spending habits for food, personal needs, academic needs, transportation, leisure and relaxation, and saving habits. The selected senior high school ABM students participated in the study. The overall findings revealed the respondents had somewhat good spending habits in discretionary spending, savings habits, impulsive purchases, and the prioritization of needs versus wants. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve spending habits further and promote responsible spending habits among senior high school students in schools. By addressing students' specific challenges, this study can provide guidance and support to empower them to make informed financial decisions. Ultimately, this research seeks to improve the financial well-being of senior high school students and equip them with the necessary skills to navigate the complex financial landscape they will encounter.

Information

• For Readers
• For Authors
• For Librarians

©2017 by Ascendens Asia Pte. Ltd. | NLB Singapore-Registered Publisher.

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

A Qualitative Study of Spending Behavior of ABM Students in STI College Malolos, Bulacan The Problem and its Background

Related Papers

Christine Faith Nichole B . Abawag

STEVEN SUKMAJAYA

Journal of emerging technologies and innovative research

Thahirunissa A.

Asian Social Science

Shahryar Sorooshian

Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal

Psychology and Education , Ester Rose S . Alikes , Genevieve L. Sagandoy

This study was conducted to examine the money management practices of Business Administration students at the Mountain Province state Polytechnic College including the problems encountered, and the remedies taken to address them. A survey method was used, and convenience sampling was utilized to determine the sample size for the respondents. The data were gathered through questionnaires and personal interviews. The study's findings indicate that most respondents prioritized saving for long-term goals but do not invest their money for insurance or gainful purposes. Most students keep a record of their expenditures but many neglects to create a budget plan and end up spending more of their budget. The result also showed that their primary problem is lack of money for unforeseen expenditures or emergencies. The solution utilized to address the issue is to save funds for the future. Hence, the Business Administration Department may consider enhancing personal finance topics in its curriculum. The college should reconsider designing financial literacy programs that may be integrated in the student orientations. Skills training should also be provided to assist the students in developing their financial and business skills.

Ijaems Journal

This research described the financial literacy and spending habits of Bachelor of Science in Accounting Information System (BSAIS) students. Total enumeration sampling was utilized in choosing the 116 respondents from PHINMA Araullo University at Barangay Bitas, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines during the Academic Year 2020-2021.The respondents answered questionnaires adopted and modified by the researchers. The researchers divided the questionnaire into two parts. The first part pertains to the financial literacy of the respondents and the second part is about their spending habits as to academic, food, and personal needs. The questionnaire was a 4-point Likert Scale. The data gathered were tallied and analyzed using weighted mean, and set into tables for interpretation and analysis. Results revealed that the respondentshave good financial literacy. Likewise, they were good spender of their money as to their food, personal and academic needs.

Rüştü Yayar

In this study, the consumption expenditures of the students, one of the important income sources of regional economies, were revealed, and it was investigated that whether these expenditures are in relation with sociodemographic factors or not. Used data was collected via survey study done to the students in Amasya University. The income-expenditure functions of the students, the share of fourteen expenditure groups in total expenditures, and income elasticity were estimated with the help of Engel’s functions. Sampling was used for sample selection. SPSS and Eviews Packet Programs were used in data analysis. 717 out of 800 surveys were approved and attached to analysis. 14 expenditure items were formed by based on “classification of individual consumption by purpose“. It is also searched that whether the gender of the students; studying in daytime or evening education; getting scholarship or loan; being student in faculty or high school; possession of credit card; studying in medical, social or technical departments; and accommodating in houses or dorms had a meaningful difference on consumption expenditures or not. In the study, while a clear observation related to the marginal propensity to consume of the students in daytime education in Amasya University cannot be stated, that their autonomous consumption is 47,5 TL lower than the students in evening education can be stated. It is also observed that the income elasticity values related to alcohol-tobacco, household goods, hotelrestaurant, chance-games, and sport expenditures are higher than 1, and the income elasticity values related to the other expenditure items are lower than 1.

Jurnal Bisnis dan Manajemen

Acai Sudirman

Jurnal Pendidikan Bisnis dan Manajemen

Henry Tamboto

RELATED PAPERS

Ornithology Research

mashaallah MASHINCHI

Designing Sustainable Technologies, Products and Policies

Guido Sonnemann

anne lehmans

Journal of Mathematics Research

Mamadou Ghouraissiou Camara

African journal of microbiology research

Wafaa Eltayeb

Fernando Valicente

Nuclear Physics A

Agata Olariu

International Journal of Mechanical and Production Engineering Research and Development

Vishal Singh

Contaduría y Administración

Juan Felipe Lozano Zea

Fausto Carabali Cabrera

IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering

Michalis Vaitis

Food Science & Nutrition

Anna Conconi

Marian DIaconu

Notes in Current Biology

Iryna Kuzmishyna

Brain : a journal of neurology

Andrea Guerra

Detlef von Daniels

Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology

SN applied sciences

sandro percario

Frontiers in genetics

Muhammad Ahsan

Telfor Journal

Nedeljko Nikolic

Lexicon Philosophicum: International Journal for the History of Texts and Ideas

Roberto Palaia

Türkiyat Mecmuası

Türkiyat Mecmuası - Journal of Turkology

See More Documents Like This

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• PMC10645357

Impact of financial literacy, mental budgeting and self control on financial wellbeing: Mediating impact of investment decision making

School of Accountancy, Henan Institute of Economics and Trade, Zhengzhou, Henan, China

Associated Data

All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.

The topic of financial wellbeing is a current concern within the realm of personal and household finance. This study aims to examine the influence of cognitive factors, specifically financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control, on subjective financial wellbeing. While there exist multiple determinants of financial wellbeing, this research focuses on these particular cognitive factors. The present study aims to examine the mediating role of investment decision-making behavior in the association between cognitive factors and financial well-being. The study employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the data collected from a sample of 449 Chinese university students, with the aim of assessing the empirical associations. The results indicate that financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control exert a favorable and noteworthy influence on an individual’s financial well-being. The results indicate that individuals with a greater degree of financial literacy are more prone to achieving superior financial well-being. Moreover, individuals who practice mental budgeting, a technique that entails mentally classifying and monitoring their expenditures, demonstrate elevated levels of financial well-being. Likewise, the exercise of self-regulation is identified as a pivotal element that impacts an individual’s financial wellbeing. The findings indicate that there is evidence to support the mediator, investment decision-making behavior. This mediator partially mediates the association between the independent variables, namely financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control, and financial well-being. The results suggest that individuals with elevated levels of financial literacy, proficient mental budgeting skills, and self-regulatory abilities are inclined towards demonstrating favorable investment decision-making conduct. Consequently, this contributes to their general financial welfare. In general, the study’s theoretical implications augment the current knowledge repository, while its practical implications provide feasible perspectives for policymakers, financial institutions, and individuals to foster financial wellness and enhance financial results.

1. Introduction

The world’s biggest public health issues are depression, anxiety, and stress. Mental health issues affect 84 million Europeans, or 17.3% of the population, according to the Global Health Data Exchange [ 1 ]. Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health problems in society. Public health concerns include anxiety and mood disorder increase [ 2 ]. In 2017, Fiksenbaum et al. [ 3 ] discovered that 4.4 percent of people worldwide have anxiety disorders, with 3.6 percent exhibiting symptoms. Poor mental health is caused by psychological stress, employment issues [ 4 ], and socioeconomic causes [ 5 ]. Financial hardship is rising, according to WHO data [ 6 ]. The UK survey [ 7 ] and PwC’s Employee Financial Wellness Survey [ 8 ] in the US reached similar conclusions. Employees reported financial stress higher than any other type of stress in the poll. The Chinese social structure has similar issues. HSBC found that 64% of Chinese are satisfied with their finances in 2019, up from 57% in 2016. The poll found that 36% of Chinese people worry about saving for retirement and 29% about paying unexpected costs [ 9 ]. Researching a person’s money management, spending, saving, and investing habits is called "financial well-being" [ 10 ]. Lack of financial wellbeing causes financial distress, which lowers physical and mental health and workplace productivity [ 11 – 14 ]. If they think their salary isn’t enough to meet their basic needs, people feel disadvantaged financially [ 15 ].

Several things affect and improve financial well-being. Financial literacy helps people make informed and responsible financial decisions, boosting financial stability and reducing financial worries [ 16 ]. Financial literacy gives people the information, skills, attitudes, and behaviors to manage their money and reach their goals [ 17 ]. It educates people about financial ideas, risks, and decisions [ 18 ]. Financial literacy encourages budgeting, saving, and investing, which improves financial health. They can handle complex financial decisions and avoid financial hazards better. Financial literacy helps people manage their income at difficult times like the COVID-19 epidemic [ 19 ]. Mental budgeting is also crucial to financial health. Individuals and households utilize cognitive operations to arrange and control their finances [ 20 ]. It entails budgeting for several expenditure categories and mentally dividing the monies [ 21 ]. Mental budgeting aids in spending tracking, goal setting, and financial decision-making [ 20 ]. Many research have shown the benefits of mental budgeting for financial health. According to Chun & Johnson [ 22 ], consumers with superior mental budgeting skills are more resistant to store promotions and price fluctuations. This implies that mental budgeting can help people avoid impulse purchases and stay to their budgets. Financial well-being also depends on self-control. Many research have examined the relationship between self-control and financial outcomes like financial assets and financial management behavior. Self-control is the ability to manage ideas, emotions, and actions to attain long-term goals and avoid temptation [ 23 ]. It requires the ability to think rationally, control impulses, and manage money [ 23 , 24 ]. Higher self-control has been linked to improved financial outcomes. Better self-control leads to increased financial assets [ 24 ]. They are also more likely to budget, save, and regulate spending [ 25 ]. Self-control improves financial planning and saving [ 26 ]. Greater self-control is a key predictor of financial security, as persons with it tend to save and avoid debt [ 27 ].

Investment decisions are vital to financial well-being. Several elements increase financial well-being through investing decision-making. Financial literacy matters. According to Kamakia et al. [ 28 ], financially literate people make better investment decisions and have higher financial stability and well-being. Financial literacy improves investment decisions by helping people understand and analyze information [ 29 ]. Investment decision-making mediates mental budgeting and financial well-being [ 22 ]. Financial decision-making is influenced by mental budgeting. Credit cards can mix expenditures across budgeted categories and increase temporal distance between purchases and payments, making it harder to remember how much was spent on each [ 22 ]. This may lead to overspending or bad budget management, affecting finances. Self-control affects financial well-being through investment decisions. Self-control is the ability to manage behavior and make decisions that support long-term goals [ 30 ]. Research shows that self-control improves financial decisions. Higher self-control leads to more wise investment decisions and improved financial wellbeing [ 31 ].

Amid the Great Recession and COVID-19 pandemic, individuals, families, legislators, financial service providers, and financial educators need more understanding about financial well-being and how to improve it. This study makes significant literary contributions. First, this study examines the complex interaction between financial literacy, mental budgeting, self-control, and investment decision making, adding to financial wellbeing research. Examination of these structures together provides a more complete knowledge of financial wellbeing variables. Second, study examines mental budgeting and self-control in financial decision making to connect psychological and economic aspects. This integrated approach adds depth to the research by acknowledging that cognitive and behavioral processes affect financial wellbeing as well as economic considerations. Third, investment decision making as a mediator between financial literacy, mental budgeting, self-control, and financial health is another theoretical contribution. This mediation model shows how various factors affect financial well-being. It explains how financial knowledge, mental budgeting, and self-control affect financial outcomes. Financial educators, counselors, and policymakers can apply the study’s conclusions. By recognizing investment decision making as a mediator, it suggests interventions and education to improve financial literacy, mental budgeting, self-control, and financial health. The study emphasizes the need to evaluate many financial wellbeing elements at once. It promotes a holistic approach that emphasizes the interdependence of financial literacy, cognitive processes (mental budgeting), behavioral attributes (self-control), and investment decisions in financial well-being.

Rest of the paper is distributed among four sections: literature and hypotheses, methodology, results and conclusions.

2. Literature and hypotheses

The body of research that is now available on the topic of financial well-being hints that the concept of financial well-being is a subjective evaluation of one’s present and future financial situation [ 32 – 35 ]. The relevance of objective economic measurements, such as a consumer’s income, savings, and investments, credit score, credit card debt, regular mortgage payment, and tax payments, was stressed in much early academic research in the financial wellbeing field [ 36 – 38 ]. The subjective evaluation of financial wellbeing, on the other hand, focuses on the consumer’s self-assessment of his or her disposition, attitude, belief, and behaviors linked to money management [ 32 , 35 ]. According to this subjective interpretation of financial wellbeing, two people with comparable salaries or debt loads may regard their own financial wellbeing very differently. Due to importance of subjective financial wellbeing for researchers studying consumer behavior, financial institutions (FIs), non-profit organizations, businesses, and decision-makers in the government, study choose to investigate subjective side of this contrast. The relationships described in the study, which examines the impact of financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control on financial wellbeing with the mediating role of investment decision making, can be supported by several theories from the fields of economics, psychology, and behavioral economics, this study uses cognitive dissonance theory. Cognitive Dissonance Theory suggests that individuals strive for consistency in their beliefs and behaviors [ 39 ]. Financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control can influence the alignment of an individual’s financial decisions with their overall financial goals and values, reducing cognitive dissonance and enhancing financial wellbeing.

2.1. Financial literacy

Financial literacy refers to the knowledge of basic financial concepts, the ability to apply financial knowledge and skills in managing financial resources effectively, and the ability to make informed financial decisions to achieve financial welfare over a lifetime [ 40 – 44 ]. It involves understanding of financial matters, the ability to make conscious choice of financial products and services, and techniques for making appropriate financial decisions. Financial literacy translates into prosperity and sustainable development and helps in ensuring the financial sustainability of individuals, families, enterprises, and national economies [ 45 ]. It also includes a capacity and confidence to handle personal funds appropriately, short-term decision making and solid long-term financial thinking [ 46 ]. Moreover, being familiar with finance-related issues and making rational financial decisions based on basic financial knowledge are also crucial components of financial literacy [ 45 , 47 ]. Subjective financial knowledge, which refers to individuals’ self-evaluation of their financial knowledge, has been found to be a stronger predictor of financial behavior and subjective financial wellbeing than objective financial knowledge [ 48 ]. This indicates that individuals who perceive themselves to have higher financial knowledge tend to have higher levels of financial satisfaction and overall financial wellbeing. However, Balasubramnian and Sargent [ 49 ] investigate gaps between objective financial literacy and self-reported (perceived) financial literacy and report that individuals with high objective financial literacy make better financial decisions. A study by Joo and Grable [ 50 ] sought to identify the variables that affect financial contentment. According to the survey’s findings, financial contentment is directly influenced by factors including education level, financial literacy, risk, financial capability, financial activity, and financial demands. The findings demonstrated that improving financial behaviors increases levels of financial happiness at high knowledge and skill levels. As a result, their research suggested that financial literacy affected financial well-being directly. Another study [ 51 ] looked at the connections between 3,121 clients of a financial consulting firm’s financial activity, financial well-being, and health. According to their findings, those who have a greater level of financial well-being are less stressed, more motivated to manage their money, have better family relationships, and are physically and mentally healthier. Due to their advanced age and high level of vulnerability, retirees place a high priority on their financial well-being. They might experience physical or mental health effects from certain financial stress. In a research measuring financial literacy [ 52 ], authors found that even those with the information and skills to use that knowledge may not always behave as expected or experience advances in financial well-being due to a variety of factors. Such effects might be caused by cognitive biases, issues with self-control, family, economic, and institutional factors. However, another research [ 53 ] discovered that students’ perceptions of their financial well-being were significantly influenced by their financial literacy. Higher financial literacy correlates with greater financial well-being, according to a study [ 16 ] on financial literacy, financial well-being, and financial concerns. As a result, financial literacy is required to achieve financial well-being.

2.2. Mental budgeting

Mental budgeting is the cognitive process that people use to organize, evaluate, and keep track of financial activities [ 54 ]. It is a financial management technique that involves categorizing and monitoring expenses and income on a mental level [ 20 ]. Mental budgeting has an essential role to play in improving financial well-being because it can positively influence personal financial management [ 21 ] and consumer budgeting behavior [ 22 ]. Studies have shown that mental accounting can aid in monitoring personal spending, consumption, and investments and improve financial self-efficacy and control [ 55 ]. It can help socially excluded individuals make better financial decisions [ 56 ]. Mental accounting also affects budgeting, investing, and spending decisions [ 57 ]. Thus, it plays a central role in improving financial health and helps individuals, communities, and governments in managing their finances [ 58 ]. Mental budgeting helps individuals manage their finances better, make informed financial decisions, reducing financial stress, and improving financial self-efficacy. According to [ 59 ], financial literacy empowers individuals with knowledge and skills to manage their money effectively. Studies have shown that mental budgeting motivates and positively affects personal financial management [ 20 ] and reduces unduly risky personal investment behavior by triggering mental budgeting thoughts [ 21 ]. The impact of financial wellbeing and mental health are interlinked, and financial stress is a significant source of stress for many individuals, leading to mental health challenges [ 22 ]. Mental budgeting has been identified as a key factor in promoting financial wellbeing and reducing the risk of financial stress impacting an individual’s mental health. Multiple studies have been conducted to explore the relationship between mental budgeting and financial wellbeing in recent years. A systematic review by [ 60 ] identified the importance of proactive prevention, such as financial education and literacy, in reducing the burden of mental depression caused by financial stress. Similarly, mental budgeting was highlighted as a significant factor in promoting positive financial management behaviors, reducing financial stress, and improving financial wellbeing [ 61 ].

2.3. Self-control

Self-control, often called self-regulation, is the ability to control one’s conduct and reduce impulsivity [ 62 ]. Research shows that self-control and financial knowledge improve financial well-being [ 63 ]. Self-control, financial understanding, and financial literacy affect financial behavior and decision-making [ 64 ]. Self-control is needed to manage finances and prioritize goals in personal financial planning programs. A study on self-control, money attitude, and personal financial planning indicated that self-control affects financial planning [ 65 ]. Other research have linked self-control to occupational stress [ 66 ], self-directed learning readiness [ 67 ], and self-disgust [ 68 ].

The financial conduct of all different kinds of economic actors can be influenced by one’s level of self-control. According to Thaler and Shefrin [ 69 ], the concept of self-control may be applied to the individual as if they were an organization. According to Baumeister [ 70 ], people have a tendency to get confused as a result of conflicts between their behaviors and feelings; yet, inner strength creates self-control. The research conducted by [ 71 ] utilized three aspects of self-control: planning, monitoring, and commitment. The researchers came to the conclusion that self-control has a significant correlation with household net wealth and financial hardship. Self-control is beneficial for making decisions, having a strong will, and achieving success in the future, whether that achievement be being wealthy or prominent. The inability to exercise self-control can result in illogical decision making, a lack of confidence, and disastrous behavioral outcomes. The ability of a person to exercise self-control in the present and make sound choices will determine their potential financial well-being in the future. People tend to put their goals off till later, and when they want to improve their performance, they will sometimes try to restrict their behavior by placing stringent restrictions and deadlines on themselves.

According to [ 72 ], people who have deadlines that are too stringent tend to have less self-control than those who have deadlines that are not stringent enough. The difficulty of exercising self-control may also be understood through Shefrin and Thaler’s [ 73 ] Behavioral Life-Cycle (BLC). According to the BLC theory, the majority of individuals are preoccupied with the challenges and rewards of the now rather than the advantages of the long term. People create mental accounts in order to employ the resources that are accessible to them by categorizing their wealth into three categories, such as their present income, their current assets, and their future income [ 74 ]. According to Moffitt et al. [ 75 ], individuals lack control over their income and as a result spend more money on their immediate need rather than putting away more money for retirement and other future needs. People who have higher self-control also have better financial conduct and are able to take excellent care of their financial resources. Self-control is a key factor in both of these areas. They invest their resources in the most effective way possible [ 76 ]. They do not waste money on activities or products that are not important to their lives. People who have mastered the art of self-control have been at the forefront of society for eons, and they continue to do so now. This is due to the fact that self-control is a prerequisite for making sage choices and enjoying improved material circumstances. Households who have established saving guidelines save significantly more money than households that lack self-control. According to Kahneman [ 77 ], people who have cognitive capacities always manage their money in a way that allows them to attain their objectives and pay for their predictable costs. Planners and doers are the two types of people that Thaler and Shefrin [ 69 ] have determined people to be based on how well they exercise self-control over their finances. To them, planners are concerned with the utility across a lifetime, whereas doers are self-centered, shortsighted, and only exist for a short period of time. To live a prosperous and healthy life, both financially and emotionally, one of the goals that one must achieve is to have good financial well-being. This can only be accomplished via exercising self-control. Most of the studies measured self-control using Brief Self-Control Scale [ 78 ] and Short-Term Future Orientation Scale [ 59 ].

2.4. Investment decision making

Investment decision-making behavior refers to the process of making decisions related to finances and investments by individuals, which are influenced by various factors such as financial knowledge, financial attitude, financial behavior, self-control, psychological biases, and external environment. Financial knowledge plays an important role in making informed financial decisions, while financial behavior refers to the habits and behavior of individuals when managing finances. Self-control enables individuals to make rational and informed decisions while managing their finances. Psychological biases such as herding, heuristics, and prospect also affect the financial decision-making behavior of individuals. In summary, financial decision-making behavior is a complex process influenced by various rational and psychological factors that impact an individual’s financial wellbeing [ 79 – 82 ].

Financial or investment decision making behavior is a crucial determinant of financial well-being. It has been established that this behavior has a positive influence on financial well-being [ 83 ]. Moreover, financial well-being is directly and indirectly related to financial behavior [ 83 ]. Financial behavior is the result of putting expectations and values into action, and it is the link between expectations and financial well-being. Hence, better financial behavior translates to better financial well-being.

Several studies have shown that financial literacy and self-control are significant determinants of financial behavior and financial well-being. Research has found that financial literacy has a significant direct impact on financial well-being, and it affects financial well-being through financial behavior [ 84 ]. Similarly, financial self-efficacy and financial literacy positively influence financial well-being through financial behavior mediation [ 63 ].

Furthermore, the research has shown a positive relationship between parental financial socialization and financial literacy, financial behavior, and financial well-being. Delafrooz and Paim [ 85 ] found that higher levels of financial literacy led to better financial behavior, which in turn resulted in higher financial well-being. Studies have also explored the relationships between financial behavior, financial knowledge, and financial well-being. For instance, research [ 86 , 87 ] showed that subjective knowledge had stronger relationships with both financial behavior and financial well-being than objective knowledge. Further, it was established that money attitudes and financial knowledge significantly influenced financial behavior. Money attitudes have also been found to have a positive influence on financial management behavior, which in turn impacts financial well-being.

In conclusion, financial decision making behavior has a significant impact on financial well-being. Financial literacy, self-control, parental financial socialization, financial knowledge, and money attitude have been shown to influence financial behavior and thus impact financial well-being. It is crucial, therefore, to educate individuals on the importance of financial behavior and its role in achieving financial security.

Based on previous discussion, following hypotheses are developed:

H1: financial literacy has a significant direct impact on financial wellbeing.

H2: Mental budgeting has a significant direct impact on financial wellbeing.

H3: Self-control has a significant direct impact on financial wellbeing.

H4: Investment decision making has a significant direct impact on financial well-being.

H5: Investment decision making has a significant mediating effect between mental budgeting and financial well-being.

H6: Investment decision making has a significant mediating effect between financial literacy and financial well-being.

H7: Investment decision making has a significant mediating effect between self-control and financial well-being.

The conceptual model represents the selections of the variables from the critical review of the literature, and we expect their relationship in shape of figure. Moreover, our conceptual model of the study is given in Fig 1 .

3. Methodology

Sample was chosen using the criteria based on number of items. Convenience sampling was used to collect the data. Data was collected from Chinese university students using both physical and electronic channels which resulted in a set of 449 useable observations. Respondents included 245 male (55%) and 204 female (45%) students. 270 (60%) of these respondents belonged to business major. Table 1 shows the distribution of collected data.

3.2. Measures

We employed two separate measures to capture the diverse aspects of one’s financial well-being: one, the extent to which one suffered from financial anxiety, and the other is the degree to which one felt financially secure. For the purpose of quantifying anxiety caused by financial concerns, four items from [ 88 ] were selected. When calculating the level of financial security, [ 14 ] takes into account three different factors. The respondent was asked to rate how strongly they agreed or disagreed on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).

Seven items for measuring financial literacy have been adopted from a study [ 89 ].

Four items were adopted from a past study of mental budgeting andmanagement of household finance [ 59 ].

Self-control is quantified through a general measure which is a smaller version of the Brief Self-Control Scale [ 78 ]. It consists of five items, and the four items from the Short-Term Future Orientation Scale [ 59 ].

Scale for financial management or investment decision making behavior is adopted [ 90 ] and contains four components: overall financial management or decision making behavior, savings and investment, cash management and credit management.

List of the items used for measurement is given in S1 File .

3.3. Ethical statement

The present investigation pertains to the participation of human subjects, and therefore, ethical clearance was obtained subsequent to its evaluation by the research council of Henan Institute of Economics and Trade, located in Zhengzhou, Henan, China. The study was conducted in accordance with the research ethics guidelines of Henan Institute of Economics and Trade. Participants were accurately informed what is being studied, the benefits and risks of the study. Participants were also aware of their right to withdraw from the study at any point, all respondent gave their verbal informed consent for inclusion before they participated in the study.

3.4. Analysis

Path analysis and regression are two areas in which Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) excels. SEM is particularly useful when dealing with several variables. The PLS-SEM approach is being utilized throughout this investigation so that Path analysis may be performed. The benefits of utilizing PLS-SEM include the fact that it is more flexible with the sample sizes and is also less vulnerable to the violations of the multivariate data assumptions, such as normality of data. These are only few of the advantages of utilizing PLS-SEM. [ 91 ].

4.1. Measurement model

Stage one in the estimation of the measurement model included indicator reliability measurement through factor (outer) loadings, internal reliability measurement through composite reliability, convergent validity measurement through average variance extracted. The table shows that all of the indicators have loadings of more than 0.50 (range: 0.637–1.000), which is the value recommended by Nunnally [ 92 ] and Hair et al. [ 93 ]. All of the constructs obtained composite reliability values (range: 0.714 to 0.845) greater than 0.70, which is the value recommended by [ 94 – 96 ]. Table 2 shows that the Cronbach’s alpha ranges from 0.743 to 0.821; the statistically acceptable minimum value is 0.70 [ 94 – 96 ]. AVE values should be greater than 0.50 [ 93 , 97 ]. Our results meet these criteria.

4.2. Structural model

The path coefficients were assessed in order to test the hypotheses and determine the association between the psychological characteristics of the young people and their financial conduct as well as their overall financial well-being. The value of a variable’s path coefficient indicates the extent to which that variable was directly influenced by another variable. A value that is closer to 1 indicates that there is a stronger correlation, while a value that is closer to 0 indicates that there is a weaker relationship. Values close to zero are not statistically significant. Path coefficients are listed in the Table 3 . Results indicate that all three independent variable (financial literacy, mental budgeting and self-control) are positively affect the dependent variable (financial-wellbeing).

4.3. Mediation

Baron and Kenny [ 98 ] argued for simultaneously considering direct and indirect effects to conclude mediation tests. We found that the direct effects of the independent variables (financial literacy and investment decision making behavior) on the dependent variable (financial well-being) were positive and statistically significant. Similar is the case for other two paths i.e. mental budgeting and investment decision making behavior and self-control and investment decision making behavior. The indirect effects in the presence of the mediator (investment decision making behavior) is also statistically significant. This concludes into partial mediation. The mediation results are summarized in Table 4 .

5. Conclusion

Based on this investigation, it is evident that financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control have a positive and significant impact on subjective financial well-being. The findings suggest that individuals who possess a higher level of financial literacy are more likely to experience better financial well-being. This implies that having a strong understanding of financial concepts, such as budgeting, saving, and investing, can contribute to improved financial outcomes. These findings are consistent to previous literature [ 45 – 49 ]. Furthermore, individuals who engage in mental budgeting, which involves mentally categorizing and tracking their expenses, exhibit higher levels of financial well-being. This practice enables them to have a better grasp of their financial situation and make informed decisions regarding their spending habits and financial goals. Previous literature support this finding [ 22 , 56 , 60 , 61 ]. Similarly, self-control emerges as a crucial factor influencing financial well-being. Individuals who exercise self-control, such as resisting impulsive purchases and sticking to their financial plans, are more likely to achieve better financial outcomes. This finding suggests that maintaining discipline and self-restraint in financial matters can significantly contribute to one’s financial well-being. This outcome is also in line with the existing empirical evidence [ 63 , 64 , 69 ]. Results reveal support for the mediator, investment decision-making behavior, which partially mediates the relationship between the independent variables (financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control) and financial well-being. The findings indicate that individuals who possess higher levels of financial literacy, engage in effective mental budgeting, and exercise self-control are more likely to exhibit positive investment decision-making behavior. This, in turn, contributes to their overall financial well-being. The partial mediation suggests that investment decision-making behavior accounts for a portion of the relationship between the independent variables and financial well-being, while other factors may also be involved. These results have important implications for understanding the pathways through which financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control influence financial well-being. The presence of mediation indicates that investment decision-making behavior plays a role in translating the effects of these independent variables into improved financial outcomes. It highlights the significance of making informed investment decisions and aligning them with one’s financial goals [ 79 – 82 ]. Overall, the results of this investigation underscore the importance of financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control in shaping an individual’s financial well-being. To enhance financial well-being, individuals should strive to improve their financial knowledge, develop effective mental budgeting strategies, and cultivate self-control in their financial decision-making processes.

This study has several theoretical and practical implications.

5.1. Theoretical implications

Enriching the understanding of financial well-being: This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the impact of financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control on financial well-being. It enhances our theoretical understanding of the factors that influence individuals’ financial well-being and highlights the importance of these variables in achieving positive financial outcomes.

Supporting the importance of financial education: The findings underscore the significance of financial literacy in promoting financial well-being. This emphasizes the need for educational institutions, policymakers, and financial institutions to prioritize and promote financial education programs. It highlights the potential benefits of equipping individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions and improve their financial well-being.

Emphasizing the role of behavioral factors: This study highlights the role of behavioral factors, such as mental budgeting and self-control, in shaping financial well-being. It supports the growing body of research that recognizes the impact of psychological and behavioral aspects on financial outcomes. These findings can contribute to the development of theories and frameworks that integrate behavioral economics and finance, providing a more comprehensive understanding of individuals’ financial well-being.

5.2. Practical implications

Policy interventions and financial education programs: Policymakers can utilize these findings to design and implement effective financial education initiatives that focus on improving financial literacy, promoting mental budgeting practices, and enhancing self-control. These programs can be targeted towards various age groups and socio-economic backgrounds to ensure wider accessibility and inclusivity.

Financial counseling and guidance: Financial institutions and professionals can leverage the insights from this study to provide personalized financial counseling and guidance to their clients. By addressing specific areas of financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control, individuals can receive tailored support to enhance their financial well-being and achieve their financial goals.

Development of digital tools and resources: Technology can play a crucial role in improving financial well-being. Based on the findings of this study, the development of digital tools, mobile applications, and online platforms can be tailored to provide financial education, facilitate mental budgeting, and encourage self-control. These resources can provide real-time feedback, personalized recommendations, and practical tips to help individuals manage their finances effectively.

Overall, the theoretical implications of this study contribute to the existing knowledge base, while the practical implications offer actionable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and individuals to promote financial well-being and improve financial outcomes.

5.3. Limitations

The study’s findings may be limited by the characteristics of the sample used. The investigation has focused on a specific demographic and geographic sample (i.e. students), which could limit the generalizability of the results to a broader population. Future research could consider using larger and more diverse samples to enhance the external validity of the findings. The study employed a cross-sectional design, which captures data at a specific point in time. This design limitation prevents establishing causal relationships between the variables investigated. To address this limitation, future research could employ longitudinal or experimental designs to assess the causal effects of financial literacy, mental budgeting, self-control, and investment decision-making behavior on financial well-being. The study relied on self-reported measures, which may introduce response biases and social desirability effects. Participants might have provided answers that they believed were expected or socially acceptable rather than reflecting their true behaviors or beliefs. Future studies could consider incorporating objective measures or alternative data sources to enhance the validity of the findings.

5.4. Further research directions

Investigating additional mediating and moderating variables could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationships between financial literacy, mental budgeting, self-control, investment decision-making behavior, and financial well-being. Factors such as risk tolerance, financial attitudes, social influences, and psychological factors could be explored to uncover their potential impact on the relationships of interest. Future research could explore the long-term effects of financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control on financial well-being. Assessing the sustainability and durability of these effects over time could shed light on the long-term benefits of cultivating these skills and behaviors. Investigating the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control could provide valuable insights. Assessing the impact of educational programs, financial counseling, and interventions on individuals’ financial well-being and investment decision-making behavior would help identify the most effective strategies for promoting positive financial outcomes. Exploring the role of cultural and contextual factors in the relationships of interest could offer valuable insights. Different cultures and socio-economic contexts may influence the impact of financial literacy, mental budgeting, self-control, and investment decision-making behavior on financial well-being. Examining these factors would allow for a more nuanced understanding of how these relationships manifest across diverse populations. Addressing these limitations and pursuing these research directions can further advance the knowledge and understanding of the impact of financial literacy, mental budgeting, self-control, investment decision-making behavior, and their interrelationships on financial well-being.

Supporting information

Acknowledgments.

This paper is a general project of 2021 Henan Higher Education Teaching Reform Research and Practice Project (Research and Practice of "Integration of Competition and Teaching" in Accounting major under the background of National Vocational College Skills Competition 2021SJGLX826)

Funding Statement

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.

Data Availability

• PLoS One. 2023; 18(11): e0294466.

Decision Letter 0

17 Jul 2023

PONE-D-23-18334Impact of Financial Literacy, Mental Budgeting and Self Control on Financial Wellbeing: Mediating Impact of Investment Decision MakingPLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Ruofan Bai,

Thank you for submitting your manuscript to PLOS ONE. After careful consideration, we feel that it has merit but does not fully meet PLOS ONE’s publication criteria as it currently stands. Therefore, we invite you to submit a revised version of the manuscript that addresses the points raised during the review process.

The paper investigate the Impact of Financial Literacy, Mental Budgeting and Self Control on Financial Wellbeing: Mediating Impact of Investment Decision Making". Its findings are interesting but requires major revisions before it can be considered. My comments are as follows:

• You need state clearly the contributions of the paper. For example, "Consequently, the current paper seeks to make the following contributions to the existing literature. First,…, Second,…., Third, …, Fourth,… and so on". The description of the contribution needs to be more forensic, needs to be more focussed.
• The authors should discuss the relevant theories in detail and relate their findings to of financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control on Financial Wellbeing.
• Highlight their economic and research and policy implications. In the discussion of the results please focus on the novel findings and insights vis-à-vis the existing literature
• Theoretical framework may increase its implication, Read the below related paper for methodology.

R. M. Ammar Zahid.,Rafique., S. Khurshid., M. Khan., W. Ikram Ullah (2023). Does women’s Financial Literacy accelerate Financial Inclusion? Evidence from Pakistan. Journal of the Knowledge Economy , DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-023-01272-2

I recommend Major REVISIONS for publication after the author/s addressing the above queries and suggestions.

Please submit your revised manuscript by Aug 31 2023 11:59PM. If you will need more time than this to complete your revisions, please reply to this message or contact the journal office at  gro.solp@enosolp . When you're ready to submit your revision, log on to https://www.editorialmanager.com/pone/ and select the 'Submissions Needing Revision' folder to locate your manuscript file.

Please include the following items when submitting your revised manuscript:

• A rebuttal letter that responds to each point raised by the academic editor and reviewer(s). You should upload this letter as a separate file labeled 'Response to Reviewers'.
• A marked-up copy of your manuscript that highlights changes made to the original version. You should upload this as a separate file labeled 'Revised Manuscript with Track Changes'.
• An unmarked version of your revised paper without tracked changes. You should upload this as a separate file labeled 'Manuscript'.

If you would like to make changes to your financial disclosure, please include your updated statement in your cover letter. Guidelines for resubmitting your figure files are available below the reviewer comments at the end of this letter.

If applicable, we recommend that you deposit your laboratory protocols in protocols.io to enhance the reproducibility of your results. Protocols.io assigns your protocol its own identifier (DOI) so that it can be cited independently in the future. For instructions see: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/s/submission-guidelines#loc-laboratory-protocols . Additionally, PLOS ONE offers an option for publishing peer-reviewed Lab Protocol articles, which describe protocols hosted on protocols.io. Read more information on sharing protocols at https://plos.org/protocols?utm_medium=editorial-email&utm_source=authorletters&utm_campaign=protocols .

We look forward to receiving your revised manuscript.

Kind regards,

Academic Editor

Journal Requirements:

When submitting your revision, we need you to address these additional requirements.

1. Please ensure that your manuscript meets PLOS ONE's style requirements, including those for file naming. The PLOS ONE style templates can be found at 

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/s/file?id=wjVg/PLOSOne_formatting_sample_main_body.pdf and 

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/s/file?id=ba62/PLOSOne_formatting_sample_title_authors_affiliations.pdf

2. Please provide additional details regarding participant consent. In the ethics statement in the Methods and online submission information, please ensure that you have specified (1) whether consent was informed and (2) what type you obtained (for instance, written or verbal, and if verbal, how it was documented and witnessed). If your study included minors, state whether you obtained consent from parents or guardians. If the need for consent was waived by the ethics committee, please include this information.

If you are reporting a retrospective study of medical records or archived samples, please ensure that you have discussed whether all data were fully anonymized before you accessed them and/or whether the IRB or ethics committee waived the requirement for informed consent. If patients provided informed written consent to have data from their medical records used in research, please include this information.

3. We note that you have stated that you will provide repository information for your data at acceptance. Should your manuscript be accepted for publication, we will hold it until you provide the relevant accession numbers or DOIs necessary to access your data. If you wish to make changes to your Data Availability statement, please describe these changes in your cover letter and we will update your Data Availability statement to reflect the information you provide.

4. PLOS requires an ORCID iD for the corresponding author in Editorial Manager on papers submitted after December 6th, 2016. Please ensure that you have an ORCID iD and that it is validated in Editorial Manager. To do this, go to ‘Update my Information’ (in the upper left-hand corner of the main menu), and click on the Fetch/Validate link next to the ORCID field. This will take you to the ORCID site and allow you to create a new iD or authenticate a pre-existing iD in Editorial Manager. Please see the following video for instructions on linking an ORCID iD to your Editorial Manager account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xcclfuvtxQ

5. Please amend either the abstract on the online submission form (via Edit Submission) or the abstract in the manuscript so that they are identical.

6. Please include captions for your Supporting Information files at the end of your manuscript, and update any in-text citations to match accordingly. Please see our Supporting Information guidelines for more information: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/s/supporting-information. 

[Note: HTML markup is below. Please do not edit.]

Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Partly

2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: No

Reviewer #3: Yes

3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

5. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: Overall: I think this is a major world problem and a significant research topic. I would like to see more than perception self-report measures to make the claims in this paper. Improving actual financial literacy vs. perceived financial literacy (self-report impressions that you have here) may lead to different recommendations. You lack important covariates. You may be able to rework this to be about perceptions influencing other perceptions and that might work. After all, you make the point that perceived FWB is more about the individual’s interpretation, not actual financial status. You have a specific population (students) that may not have had extensive experience with financial decisions. That is a limitation (at least acknowledge it).

Introduction

You may be over playing the contribution to mental health. It is enough to indicate that financial stress is an important stressor. This can be shortened, perhaps substantially. You do not build up to your research questions (such that they are a logical next step in addressing financial well-being). For instance, you never mention mental budgeting or investment decisions prior to line 161 where they appear as a surprise. You have explained the problem but then you need to show how your work will address it. That link needs strengthening. You mention that many studies do not include a full array of variables, which is true, then you drop that aspect and have RQs that are lean (single variable), the very thing you criticize. You then have a paragraph about the importance of increasing FWB with factors not in your RQs (like retirement planning). Create a more concise organization: describe the problem (which is done extensively), how you address the problem (missing, RQs are not really doing the job here), the major findings and the implications given the findings. The specific RQs usually come after hypothesis.

Literature and Hypothesis

Just listing your variables and the literature for that variable is good but needs some introduction prior to jumping into them. Why start with FL? Is this for perceived and actual (measured) FL or just actual FL? In many models they have similar correlations on financial behaviors but mean slightly different things. Not sure what you mean here: “Managing finances for personal needs aligns with

financial literacy from a practical perspective.” (Line 193). Your comment: Financial literacy and financial well-being have been the subjects of separate research up until this point is unclear.” (Line 198) Most of the literature on FL is impact on financial habits or financial outcomes, which you argue leads to FWB. Then you start discussing FWB, leaving FL. This seems like the place to put your RQ about FL.

In the second paragraph about mental budgeting you pivot to FL, (Line 230) and then back to mental budgeting. In line 235 you say mental budgeting has the “most” influence on financial behavior – more than any other variable – with one citation given. I do not agree as I look at Xiao & O’Neill (2018). The beta for that variable is much smaller than several other significant variables in the OLS on financial well-being. Further, other studies have found it to be significant but not with a higher effect size over other variables such as education and income. The discussion on self-control does not mention how it was measured in these studies that found it correlated with positive financial outcomes. Is self-control nudgeable (vs. FL)?

Line 324: FL and self-control are significant in financial behavior and well-being. Seems to be leaving off some major variables (e.g., education, income, demographics). The discussion needs tighter organization. You then pivot to financial education and subjective FL in the mental budgeting section. Then parental education comes in (before individual’s education?) and money attitudes.

I might introduce the full family of variables that link to financial behaviors and FWB and then one at a time discuss them, including how they are measured in the literature, leading to each RQ.

Method and Findings

Please put the results on Fig 1.

Wonder if students are typical of the national studies done in the literature? Most have not even started their careers or thought about emergency savings. I wonder about the ability to generalize from this.

Actual FL has been measured by the same 5 questions for decades and include, for example, the ability to figure compounding interest at 2% for one year. See Lusardi’s line of research. I believe you have measure “perceived financial literacy,” not actual FL. Perceived is the person’s belief about financial competency. This differs from actual competency. For instance, for a discussion of the difference of these two, see:

Balasubramnian, Bhanu, and Carol Springer Sargent. “Impact of Inflated Perceptions of Financial Literacy on Financial Decision Making.” Journal of Economic Psychology, vol. 80, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2020.102306 .

You have failed to control for very important demographic information, especially education and income. Further, your FL variable, normally measured by an actual “test” of financial comprehension, is a FL perception self-report. Highly educated individuals may have better self-control and so you cannot tell which is giving you the result without controlling for these important covariates. You rightly criticize the literature for not including all the variables and then you do it too.

You may have a finding here but not the one you discuss. You have found that one’s view about financial competence correlates with financial behaviors and financial well-being. And how do we know the direction? Maybe strong financial behaviors (paying things on line for instance) makes the individual feel more able (PFL) and in control (self-control). Could it be the perceptions follow from good habits and perceptions lead to FWB? You mention that two different individuals with the same financial circumstances can have different SWB perceptions. This would be a different paper but may be possible with this dataset.

Going forward, consider a more diverse sample, measuring AFL, and including covariates.

Small items to address:

• I would not characterize the cognitive aspects as a “personality” type. (line 155)

• Line 161: Remove “to”

Reviewer #2: Dear Authors

Why financial literacy and financial knowledge are not operationalized as multi-dimensional constructs.

Financial literacy is measured by both subjective and objective approaches. Why authors adopted subjective approach only.

Why Baron and Kenny's approach of mediation was adopted. Baron and Kenny's approach is outdated an primitive approach of mediation.

Reviewer #3: The paper entitled” Impact of Financial Literacy, Mental Budgeting and Self Control on Financial Wellbeing: Mediating Impact of Investment Decision Making” deals with a very interesting topic and it included interesting ideas. In general, I appreciate the aims of this work; it is quite interesting and informative to most readers of this field.

However, I have the following comments that hopefully help the authors improve their paper:

• The introduction section is too long. The reader is lost with the overwhelming amount of background information that relates to the topic but is not necessarily relevant for your research. It may be wise to remove some paragraphs if they are not strongly related to the main issue.

• The structure (outline) of the paper could be given at the end of the introductory chapter.

• I suggest that the authors add a research method diagram. This will provide a snapshot of the research steps followed and will help the reader in a clearer understanding of the paper.

• In relation to literature review, I would strongly encourage authors to provide a summary table of comprehensive literature review that will not only identify the gaps in the literature but also strengthen the contribution of this work.

• What are the limitations of the study in terms of the proposed method, data used, approaches, and/or analysis?

• How the results of this study can be generalized to other regions?

• The authors should convince the readers, that their contribution is so important. These issues deserve a deeper discussion: What are the managerial implications from this research? How does this understanding help people to make better decisions? How decision or policy makers could benefit from this study.

• As usual a final thorough proof-reading is recommended.

I wish the author(s) all the best for their research and that these comments will be useful to them in improving the paper.

6. PLOS authors have the option to publish the peer review history of their article ( what does this mean? ). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

If you choose “no”, your identity will remain anonymous but your review may still be made public.

Do you want your identity to be public for this peer review? For information about this choice, including consent withdrawal, please see our Privacy Policy .

Reviewer #2:  Yes:  Suhail Ahmad Bhat

Reviewer #3: No

[NOTE: If reviewer comments were submitted as an attachment file, they will be attached to this email and accessible via the submission site. Please log into your account, locate the manuscript record, and check for the action link "View Attachments". If this link does not appear, there are no attachment files.]

While revising your submission, please upload your figure files to the Preflight Analysis and Conversion Engine (PACE) digital diagnostic tool,  https://pacev2.apexcovantage.com/ . PACE helps ensure that figures meet PLOS requirements. To use PACE, you must first register as a user. Registration is free. Then, login and navigate to the UPLOAD tab, where you will find detailed instructions on how to use the tool. If you encounter any issues or have any questions when using PACE, please email PLOS at  gro.solp@serugif . Please note that Supporting Information files do not need this step.

Submitted filename: PLOS ONE-D-23-18334_review SARGENT Financial Literacy Self Control.pdf.pdf

Author response to Decision Letter 0

18 Sep 2023

RESPONSE TO EDITOR

Contributions are rewritten clearly.

Relevant theory is added.

Implications of the findings are added.

RESPONSE TO REVIEWER 1

Concerns about objectives and subjective financial wellbeing are addressed and it is mentioned that author is interested in the later.

Introduction is shortened.

After discussing the problem, solution (i.e. role of selected factors) is also discussed.

Comments which were not matched as indicated by the reviewer are either removed or adjusted.

Education, income and demographics are ignored because of the sample, as respondents do not have very diverse characteristics.

RESPONSE TO REVIEWER 2

Item 1: Why financial literacy and financial knowledge are not operationalized as multi-dimensional constructs?

Operationalizing "financial literacy" as a uni-dimensional construct can have some advantages. Here are some reasons why author choose to operationalize financial literacy as a uni-dimensional construct:

Simplicity: A uni-dimensional approach simplifies measurement and analysis. It reduces the complexity associated with measuring multiple dimensions of financial literacy, making it easier to administer surveys, collect data, and analyze results.

Ease of Communication: Communicating and interpreting the results of a uni-dimensional financial literacy measure is straightforward. It allows for clearer communication of findings to policymakers, educators, and the general public.

Comparison: Uni-dimensional measures make it easier to compare individuals or groups based on a single scale, facilitating straightforward comparisons between different demographics, regions, or time periods.

Policy Implications: A uni-dimensional measure can be more effective for guiding policy decisions, as it provides a clear overall picture of financial literacy levels within a population. Policymakers may find it easier to target interventions when working with a single metric.

Apart from these reasons, the items chosen to measure financial literacy are broad and fulfill the researcher’s objective.

Item 2: Financial literacy is measured by both subjective and objective approaches. Why authors adopted subjective approach only?

Here's why author choose subjective approach:

Self-assessment and self-awareness: Subjective measures allow individuals to assess their own financial knowledge, skills, and confidence in managing their finances. This self-awareness can be valuable because it helps individuals recognize their own areas of weakness and take steps to improve their financial literacy. It can also serve as a motivation for individuals to seek out financial education and make positive changes in their financial behaviors.

Practicality and cost-effectiveness: Subjective measures are often easier and more cost-effective to implement than objective measures, which may require standardized tests or evaluations by financial experts. Subjective assessments can be administered through surveys or questionnaires, making them accessible to a wider range of people and organizations, including schools, employers, and financial institutions.

Cultural and contextual sensitivity: Financial literacy is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It can vary based on cultural, socioeconomic, and personal factors. Subjective assessments can capture the nuances of an individual's financial knowledge and attitudes, allowing for a more context-specific understanding of their financial literacy.

Focus on behavior and decision-making: Subjective measures often include questions about financial attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making, which are critical components of financial literacy. Understanding how individuals perceive and approach financial choices can provide valuable insights for designing targeted financial education programs and interventions.

Item 3: Why Baron and Kenny's approach of mediation was adopted?

Baron and Kenny's approach to mediation analysis is a widely used and influential method in the field of psychology and social sciences for investigating the mechanisms by which an independent variable affects a dependent variable through an intermediate variable (i.e., the mediator).

Clarity and Transparency: Baron and Kenny's approach provides a clear and step-by-step framework for conducting mediation analysis. It helps researchers systematically test the hypothesized mediation model, making the process more transparent and accessible.

Causal Inference: The approach emphasizes the establishment of causality in mediation relationships. It requires researchers to demonstrate that three conditions are met: (a) the independent variable significantly predicts the mediator, (b) the mediator significantly predicts the dependent variable while controlling for the independent variable, and (c) the direct effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable is reduced or becomes non-significant when the mediator is included in the model. This helps researchers make stronger claims about causality.

Practicality: Baron and Kenny's approach is relatively straightforward to implement. It does not require advanced statistical techniques or specialized software, making it accessible to a wide range of researchers.

Interpretability: The approach provides coefficients that are easily interpretable. Researchers can directly assess the size and significance of the indirect (mediation) effect, which is often of primary interest in mediation analysis.

In summary, Baron and Kenny's approach to mediation analysis is preferred for its simplicity, clarity, and emphasis on causality.

RESPONSE TO REVIEWER 3

The structure of the paper is given.

Limitations are identified.

Implications are discussed.

Submitted filename: Response to Reviewers.docx

Decision Letter 1

Impact of Financial Literacy, Mental Budgeting and Self Control on Financial Wellbeing: Mediating Impact of Investment Decision Making

PONE-D-23-18334R1

Dear Dr. Bai,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

An invoice for payment will follow shortly after the formal acceptance. To ensure an efficient process, please log into Editorial Manager at http://www.editorialmanager.com/pone/ , click the 'Update My Information' link at the top of the page, and double check that your user information is up-to-date. If you have any billing related questions, please contact our Author Billing department directly at gro.solp@gnillibrohtua .

If your institution or institutions have a press office, please notify them about your upcoming paper to help maximize its impact. If they’ll be preparing press materials, please inform our press team as soon as possible -- no later than 48 hours after receiving the formal acceptance. Your manuscript will remain under strict press embargo until 2 pm Eastern Time on the date of publication. For more information, please contact gro.solp@sserpeno .

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

1. If the authors have adequately addressed your comments raised in a previous round of review and you feel that this manuscript is now acceptable for publication, you may indicate that here to bypass the “Comments to the Author” section, enter your conflict of interest statement in the “Confidential to Editor” section, and submit your "Accept" recommendation.

Reviewer #2: All comments have been addressed

Reviewer #3: (No Response)

2. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

3. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

4. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

5. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

6. Review Comments to the Author

Reviewer #2: All the issues raised have been addressed by the author/s. the paper is now in a position to be published in the journal

Reviewer #3: The paper has significantly improved as compared to the previous version. Indeed, the authors tried to improve it, and the main the weaknesses are solved.

Thus, in my opinion, the paper is on the borderline recommendable for publication.

7. PLOS authors have the option to publish the peer review history of their article ( what does this mean? ). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

Acceptance letter

Dear Dr. Bai:

I'm pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been deemed suitable for publication in PLOS ONE. Congratulations! Your manuscript is now with our production department.

If your institution or institutions have a press office, please let them know about your upcoming paper now to help maximize its impact. If they'll be preparing press materials, please inform our press team within the next 48 hours. Your manuscript will remain under strict press embargo until 2 pm Eastern Time on the date of publication. For more information please contact gro.solp@sserpeno .

If we can help with anything else, please email us at gro.solp@enosolp .

Thank you for submitting your work to PLOS ONE and supporting open access.

PLOS ONE Editorial Office Staff

on behalf of

Dr. Wajid Khan