From understanding the stock market to planning for retirement, Americans are lost when it comes to personal finance

From understanding the stock market to planning for retirement, Americans are lost when it comes to personal finance

Two in five (41%) Americans are intimidated by their own finances, according to new research.

The study, which asked a nationally representative panel of 2,000 people about their knowledge of their finances, found that those who are intimidated by their finances are more likely to fit within the millennial age bracket.

Millennials aged 25-34 are also the most likely to "fake it 'till they make it" when it comes to their finances — at 57% compared to 42% of all Americans polled.

Seven in ten respondents said they've resorted to teaching themselves important aspects of their finances, such as budgeting, credit card interest and investing.Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Ria Money Transfer, the survey showed that the most complicated finance topics that people still struggle to understand are how the stock market works (32%), how to invest (30%) and the difference between stocks and bonds (27%).

Other common financial hurdles include doing taxes (22%), planning for retirement (20%) and understanding what a 401K is (19%).

Just over half (52%) of Americans want to turn their financial confidence around and learn more about their finances, but don't know where to go for help.

Another 50% struggle with wanting to invest their money without knowing where to start.