The American Reality: How Debt Defines Your Generation

of Americans believe living debt free is living the DREAM

63%

but…A majority of Americans

65%live with some type of debt or loans

But how they live with and manage debt varies by age group

Adults over the age of 45 are more likely to pay more than the minimum monthly payment on their credit cards than those between the ages of 18 and 44.

In fact, young adults age 18-34 are more likely than adults 55+ to than the minimum monthly payment on their credit card debt

PAY LESS

…. and those 18-34 are almost three times as likely to admit to sometimes paying their bills late.

Despite these habits, adults 55+ (16%) are more likely to buy what they want, when they want, since they have credit cards.

SO…what does each age group consider to be a

FINANCIAL DISASTER?

Foreclosing on a home?

While more than three quarters of

Americans (76%) believe this would be a financial

disaster, it’s a more common concern for those over 55 years old.

How about YOUR health?

of Americans say

getting into medical-related debt would be a

FINANCIAL NIGHTMARE

A number slightly higher for adults 55 and over (55%)

47 %

Did I remember to pay that bill?

of Americans consider having a LATE PAYMENT on a loan to be a financial disaster

Although Americans age 45-54 (18%) are less likely to consider a late payment on a

loan to be disastrous

27%

BALANCE DUE $0.00

23% of Americans say not paying off a credit card balance in

full each month would be a

that number with

disaster,increases

age 33% for folks 65 and older

and that

What’s YOUR American Dream? And how will you manage your finances to get there?