Conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and commissioned by Qvisory , an online advocacy group that is helping young adults with their money , work and health concerns , the poll finds that young adults are feeling the effects of the economic downturn more acutely than other groups . Three in five ( 62 percent ) say their personal economic condition is fair or poor . Most have the same or more debt than they had a year ago . Nearly one-third have paid a late fee on a credit card in the last year , 17 percent have fallen behind on mortgage payments and 18 percent have fallen behind on student loans . Two in five have skipped a meal to save money. or leaving college or have transferred to a less expensive school .