As the pandemic enters its most intensive phase yet and job growth stalls, just 39 percent of Americans surveyed say they could comfortably cover an unexpected expense of $1,000. Underscoring the shaky finances of many Americans, Bankrate’s January Financial Security Index finds that fewer than 4 in 10 U.S. adults could absorb the cost of a four-figure car repair or emergency room visit by tapping into savings. Study conducted by SSRS.