Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride says “more and more households [are] relying on credit to bridge that gap where the income stops but the expenses keep going.”

Higher credit card debt could be a sign of consumer confidence. But tariffs from the Trump administration could further inflate prices.

However, high inflation and interest rates since the COVID-19 pandemic have continually made it difficult for people to save for emergencies.According to a new Bankrate poll, one-third (33 percent) of Americans have more credit card debt than emergency savings — down from 36 percent in both 2024 and 2023.

Its tough news on inflation and according to a new Bankrate survey. One-third of Americans say they have more credit card debt than emergency savings. Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst Greg Mcbride explains the study's findings.