New study: Nearly half of Americans have less than $500 in savings

CLEVELAND - If you have more than $500 saved up in an emergency fund, you're apparently ahead of the curve.

A new study by CreditDonkey.com, which is a credit card comparison company, shows that nearly half of Americans don't have that much saved up in thier bank account. Of the roughly 1,100 Americans polled, 41 percent reported having less than half a grand of readily-accessible savings at hand.

That lack of savings is worrisome for analysts, who fear most Americans have little in the way of a backup plan when things get tough. A survey out last month by the American Payroll Association shows over two-thirds of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.