One big change in the last 15 years is hardly a surprise: Americans face more economic uncertainty and financial challenges.

Many more households are struggling to make ends meet than in 1997, when consumer confidence was high and unemployment was low, says a survey released Monday by the Consumer Federation of America and Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. Today the economy is in a far different place, and Americans are worried about their financial future, says Kevin Keller, CEO of the CFP's Board.

And now they have to decide how to use their limited resources to save for retirement and fund their children's college education, while maintaining an emergency fund and keeping out of debt.

Although attitudes have changed and concerns have risen over time, there is one constant. People who have a financial plan feel more confident about their financial future and report more success managing money, saving and investing, Keller says.

And when low-income families have a financial plan, they are more likely to pay their credit card bills in full and avoid debt, the survey found.

Yet only 31 percent of Americans have put together a financial plan, whether on their own or with a financial adviser, the survey says. And that was the same percentage as in 1997, when a similar survey was conducted. Among other findings:

38 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, vs. 31 percent in 1997.

48 percent of families with college-bound children are saving for their education, down from 56 percent in 1997.

55 percent are worried about losing money if they invest it, compared with 45 percent in 1997.

About half of Americans are behind in retirement savings, compared with 38 percent in 1997.

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Retirement readiness continues to plummet