1 in 3 Americans maxing out credit cards because of inflation: survey
Millennials, especially, are dealing with record credit card debt
Updated October 16, 2024, 3:01 AM EDT
Economic hardship is causing more people to rely on credit to cover living expenses, and some have even maxed out their credit cards to deal with inflation and rising prices, according to a recent survey.
Credit card balances surged past the trillion dollar mark in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in credit card debt signals that many Americans are struggling to pay for basic needs. Roughly 45% of Americans said that inflation and rising prices are why they've relied so heavily on credit cards, the Debt.com survey said. Nearly 9% of all respondents said they got a credit card to pay for a financial emergency.
Moreover, 35% of Americans said they have maxed out their credit cards in recent years. Of those who had maxed out their credit cards, 85% said they were pushed to use their cards to the limit because of price increases from inflation. Approximately 22% of Americans said they now owe between $10,000 to $20,000 in credit card debt, and 5% have more than $30,000.
"In today's economic landscape, the surge in credit card debt is a stark indication of the financial strain many Americans face," Debt.com Chairman Howard Dvorkin said. "With record-high debt levels and a significant portion of individuals maxing out their credit cards, it's clear that households are grappling with unique challenges."
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Millennials carry the highest credit card debt load
Young Americans' credit card debt, particularly millennials', has grown faster than that of other generations. Roughly 31% of this generational segment said they owed at least $10,000 to $20,000 in credit card debt. A higher share of this age group also carries the highest debt load of $20,000 to more than $30,000.
The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates 11 times since 2022 to lower sky-high inflation to a 2% target rate. Now that inflation has moderated somewhat, the Fed has slowed rate hikes, but its restrictive monetary policy has pushed credit card interest rates higher.
"Inflation and escalating living costs are forcing individuals to rely on credit cards as a lifeline," Debt.com Chairman Howard Dvorkin said. "While credit cards can offer temporary relief, accumulating debt at a rapid pace is unsustainable and can lead to long-term financial repercussions. People need to exercise caution and seek alternate financial strategies to navigate these turbulent times."
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Lower interest rates could open up refinancing opportunity
Some relief could come when the Fed begins to dial back interest rates. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that the central bank will continue to monitor inflation and other economic indicators to determine when to lower rates. Lowering them too soon would bring the risk of bringing inflation back, while holding back too long poses a risk to economic growth.
"We believe that our policy rate is likely at its peak for this tightening cycle and that, if the economy evolves broadly as expected, it will likely be appropriate to begin dialing back policy restraint at some point this year," Powell said in a statement.
Once interest rates are reduced, consumers can explore refinancing any high-interest debt into lower-interest credit products to lower balances, according to Michele Raneri, TransUnion vice president of U.S. research and consulting.
"If the expected Fed interest rate cuts over the course of 2024 take place, lenders may find opportunity as consumers carrying elevated card balances seek to lower their monthly payments by refinancing high-cost debt into a lower interest product," Raneri said in a statement. "Consumers should know their credit scores and work to improve them where possible. This will ensure they are as well-positioned as they can be to take advantage of those lower rates if the opportunity arises."
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