The number of Australian households saving each month has declined over the past six months along with the average amount being saved.According to the latest ME Bank Household Financial Comfort Report, 46 per cent of households said they were able to save each month - down from 49 per cent in December and the lowest level since ME Bank started the survey in 2011.Of those saving each month, the amount being saved has fallen from an average of $835 in December to $735 in June. The peak of average monthly savings was $885 in June 2012.Twelve per cent said they were drawing on savings, using loans or home equity for spending.More than one-third (35 per cent) of households reported having less than $1000 in cash on hand in June, compared with 28 per cent in December.Households had a high level of comfort about their ability to meet monthly expenses but 24 per cent said they could not raise $3000 in an emergency. Concern about cash savings was a key factor in the three per cent decline in ME Bank's household financial comfort index, which fell from 5.5 out of ten last December to 5.3 in June. This level of comfort equates with a response that circumstances cause "occasional stress and worry".Other factors contributing to the fall in the comfort index include the impact of the Government Budget (67 per cent said it would make them worse off), low growth in income levels and people's anticipated standard of living in retirement.Expectations of financial comfort over the next 12 months are also down; 32 per cent of households expect their circumstances to worsen, compared with 21 per cent in December.The survey indicates a growing disparity in financial comfort between asset-rich households, which have gained from equity and real estate price growth, and other households.The financial comfort of people over 65, who are more likely to own their home and have share investments, rose to 6.5 out of 10. All the other main household groups experienced falling levels of comfort in the six months to June.The most popular savings and financial goals were paying off a mortgage, paying off other debt, saving for a holiday or car and building "rainy day" savings.Twenty-six per cent were able to reduce debt, while 30 per cent increased their household debt and 44 per cent remained the same.