When it comes to all aspects of financial planning, those born under the sign of Taurus (April 20 to May 20) do it better than the rest of us, according to a fun, albeit unscientific, survey by Allstate Insurance.

For its sixth annual "Retirement Reality Check" survey, Allstate polled 1,603 people born between 1946 and 1978 with a household income of $38,000 or higher if they were working or at least $20,000 if they were already retired. They were also asked their birth date so the pollsters could correlate their answers to their Zodiac signs.

This is what the Allstate survey determined about the financial savvy of each Zodiac sign:

Aries (March 21to April 19)
Most likely of any sign to say they've educated themselves about investing (80 percent), but least likely to say they're a good saver (73 percent). In fact, 12 percent of respondents under this sign admit they're not saving at all for retirement. They're also least likely to have saved money for their children's (or grandchildren's) education (18 percent) or to have paid off their home (8 percent).

Taurus (April 20 to May 20)
Most likely to describe themselves as disciplined (97 percent). Indeed, only 1 percent of them say they're not saving at all for retirement. Least likely to think they'll have to support other family members after they retire (20 percent).

Gemini (May 21 to Jun 20)
Those born under the sign of Gemini are least likely to call themselves optimistic (85 percent) and least likely to have educated themselves about investing (67 percent). But they still consider themselves good savers (84 percent) and are most likely to say they stick to a budget (88 percent).

Cancer (June 21 to July 22)
Along with Capricorns, Cancers are most concerned about the future (96 percent) and worried about current finances (80 percent). But whatever fears they may have, they are least likely to worry about retirement being boring (4 percent). They're least likely to have an emergency fund that can support their family for at least three months (39 percent).

Leo (July 23 to August 22)
Leos are least likely to call themselves disciplined (84 percent) but most likely to call themselves optimists (96 percent). And they admit they don't like to wait to get the things they want (69 percent). They're most likely to expect retirement to be fun (98 percent). But they're most likely to worry about finances in retirement, especially not being able to afford health care (86 percent).

Virgo (August 23 to September 22)
Virgos are most likely to call themselves financially independent (78 percent). Not surprisingly, they're least likely to think retirement will be financially difficult (29 percent).

Libra (September 23 to October 22)
Libras are least likely to stick to a budget (71 percent). They're least likely to worry that retirement will be lonely (8 percent). Perhaps that's because they're most likely to expect to provide financial support for other family members after they retire (33 percent).

Scorpio (October 23 to November 21)
Scorpios aren't consistent in their habits, as they're most likely to balance their checkbook regularly (90 percent), but least likely to pay off credit cards each month (58 percent). They're least likely to think retirement will be relaxing (85 percent) and most likely to expect it to be financially difficult (50 percent). Not surprisingly, they're most likely to think they'll work for pay after retirement (80 percent).

Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21)
They have mixed feelings. They're most likely to pay off credit cards each month (71 percent) but least likely to balance their checkbook regularly (78 percent) or to invest tax refunds or unexpected gifts (44 percent). They're most likely to anticipate a fulfilling retirement (97 percent), but least likely to have done any planning for retirement separate from their spouse/partner (26 percent).

Capricorn (December 22 to January 19)
Along with Cancers, they are most concerned about the future (96 percent). They're least likely to have ensured they have adequate auto and homeowner's insurance (81 percent), but they're most likely to have bought long-term care insurance (26 percent).

Aquarius (January 20 to February 18)
Aquarians are least likely to worry about current finances (65 percent). Additionally, they're least worried about finances in retirement, such as paying for health care (68 percent) or being a financial burden on family members (44 percent). Not surprisingly, they're least likely to think they'll work for pay after they retire (57 percent).

Pisces (February 19 to March 20)
Pisces are least likely of any sign to consider themselves financially independent (62 percent). At the same time, they're least likely to think retirement will be "uncertain" (38 percent). They're most likely to consider themselves "very prepared" financially for retirement (31 percent). They're also (along with Leos) most likely to have done some planning for retirement separate from their spouse/partner (41 percent).

--From the Editors at Netscape