Rising Consumer Debt: A Deep Dive
The financial landscape for many American households is becoming increasingly precarious, as revealed in the recent survey conducted by Achieve. This latest assessment signifies a worrying trend:
69% of consumers have either seen an increase in their debt or found it unchanged over the last quarter.
Key Findings from the Achieve Survey
The survey, conducted in September 2025, sampled 2,000 U.S. consumers aged 18 and above. The results are telling:
- - 27% of respondents claimed they took on more debt in recent months, a rise from 22% earlier this year, illuminating the growing reliance on credit among households struggling to meet basic needs.
- - The survey disclosed that despite some consumers managing to lower their debts, the number of those succeeding has dwindled, down to 31% from 34% in the previous quarter.
- - A significant 54% of consumers reported carrying credit card balances to cover essential expenses, highlighting the dire financial strain many are under, with 28% having done so for six months or longer.
Current Financial Situations
A concerning 58% of respondents rated their financial status as either