Finanças pessoais: uma comparação transcultural entre o Brasil e os Estados Unidos

Abstract

The present study aimed to test statistically significant differences in the personal finances of Brazilians and Americans, discussing differences in the light of characteristics of the national culture. Based on the literature review, three hypotheses were established to be tested. Data from 1,486 Brazilians and 2,232 Americans were analyzed and subjected to statistical tests to compare means. Among the findings, Americans considered saving money and goods as one of the most important qualities to be taught to children, to a greater extent than Brazilians. Americans showed greater agreement than Brazilians with the statement that the accumulation of wealth is only possible at the expense of other people, pointing to a more individualistic financial profile. Concerning the importance given to being rich, Brazilians considered this variable more important than Americans, pointing to the valorization of symbols of status and power. The results were shown to be compatible with characteristics of Brazilian and American national culture, highlighting the importance of investigating personal finances with a cross-cultural approach, not commonly explored in the literature. At last, implications of the research were presented, as well as suggested further studies.