With inflation climbing once more, a quarterly survey from Achieve on household debt reveals that 35% of consumers struggle to make debt payments on time.

Over half (53%) of American consumers are carrying credit card balances to manage soaring costs of daily necessities, and 25% have held these balances for six months or longer. This comes from a new survey by Achieve, a key player in digital personal finance solutions.

The March 2026 survey polled 2,000 consumers through Achieve's Achieve Center for Consumer Insights think tank. It offers qualitative perspectives on borrowing and debt, supplementing the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's forthcoming Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit.

"Rising credit card use does not reflect financial health. For many, it serves as a survival tool to bridge income gaps," stated Austin Kilgore, analyst at the Achieve Center for Consumer Insights. "Americans are increasingly turning to revolving debt not for luxuries, but for everyday must-haves."

The survey showed 57% of consumers believe it would take six months or more to clear their short-term unsecured debts, such as credit cards, buy-now-pay-later loans, personal loans, and medical bills. This marks a small increase from 55% in the prior quarter's report. Key findings include:

51% feel "uncomfortable" or "extremely uncomfortable" about using credit cards for essentials without immediate payoff.
48% report they cannot realistically cut back on bills and utilities, suggesting many have already trimmed expenses to the bone.
35% describe maintaining on-time debt payments as "very difficult" or "difficult."

These pressures coincide with recent inflation jumps exceeding 3% annually over the last two months, driven mainly by elevated energy prices, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index. Households face mounting strain from various cost-of-living factors.

Among those finding on-time payments challenging, 64% cite insufficient household income to match spending, 38% blame debts spread across too many accounts, and 29% note mismatches between paydays and bill due dates.

Why Consumers Struggle to Make Ends Meet
Reasons for Difficulty Paying Debts on Time	Percent of Consumers
Not enough income to cover spending	64%
Owe money on too many different accounts	38%
Difficulty managing cashflow	29%
Difficulty keeping track of how much you owe	11%
Paying debts on time is not a priority	5%
Difficulty interacting with creditors' customer service	5%
Other	5%
Q: Why is paying your recurring debts on time a challenge? (n=703) Source: Achieve Center for Consumer Insights

The survey underscores that consumers often treat credit cards not as mere conveniences but as lifelines for routine bills, leading to lingering balances, mounting interest, and prolonged financial stress.

"Surface-level credit card activity may seem robust, but we must ask what drives those charges," Kilgore added. "For numerous families, growing balances signal that paychecks and savings lag behind basics like food, utilities, and rent."

Income's Role in the K-Shaped Economy

Highlighting persistent "K-shaped" recovery patterns - where high earners prosper while others falter - the survey ties financial outlooks closely to income levels.

Those earning up to $50,000 annually were more prone to report worsening finances over the past year (35%) compared to higher earners (27%). Meanwhile, 29% of lower-income respondents saw improvements, versus 36% above $50,000.

Financial Trajectories in the K-Shaped Economy
Household Income Level	Worsened	Stayed the Same	Improved
Over $50,000	27%	37%	36%
Up to $50,000	35%	36%	29%
Q: How has your financial situation changed over the past year? (n=2,000) Source: Achieve Center for Consumer Insights

Methodology

This data stems from a March 2026 survey of 2,000 U.S. adults aged 18+ holding active debt in areas like auto loans, credit cards (with at least $100 balance), mortgages, HELOCs, student loans, or other unsecured debts.

About the Achieve Center for Consumer Insights

The Achieve Center for Consumer Insights draws on Achieve's finance experts to analyze consumer trends. It shares data-driven research and commentary to aid financial well-being.

About Achieve

Achieve supports consumers toward financial stability via personal loans, home equity options, debt relief, consolidation, apps, and educational resources. The company operates nationwide with teams in key states.