Low wage growth, high levels of household debt and cost of living increases will all contribute to heightened financial stress in the months ahead, predicts  the latest Dun & Bradstreet consumer financial stress index.After improving through the second half of last year the index has been weakening this year. The index is based on information in Dun & Bradstreet's consumer and business databases, which is used to predict demand and capacity for credit.Dun & Bradstreet chief executive Gareth Jones said in a media release that, with household income expected to be affected by the Budget and March quarter wage growth of just 0.7 per cent, the credit bureau expects its stress index to trend higher as the year progresses.D&B said the stress index would be at its second highest level in four years by July.Among the states, Queensland has the highest stress rating. In New South Wales, which is experiencing strong population growth, the index has eased.