These are the financial moves Americans regret the most

More than three-quarters of Americans regret some of the financial moves they've made — or neglected to make — but two common missteps stand out as money matters people most wish they had handled differently. 

The most common financial regret? Not saving for retirement early enough, according to a new Bankrate study. That jibes with other recent reports showing that many Americans nearing retirement consider themselves woefully unprepared to stop working in their golden years. 

"It shows a very common sentiment — that people may not be as prepared for retirement as they feel they should be, or just regret that they would be in a more secure financial position if they had started earlier," said Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride.