By all accounts, more Americans are working right now than ever. Unemployment rates are at a 50-year low, wages are moving higher and the economy is doing well.
So, why are so many ordinary people struggling under massive amounts of credit card debt?
Well, there is a mix of factors contributing to the problem. While the overall economy may be strong right now, that doesn’t change the fact that many people were relying on credit to get by in previous years when jobs were less certain.
Another factor contributing to America’s credit card debt is the fact that wages, while rising, still haven’t caught up with inflation. Child care, housing, schooling and other expenses have risen faster than wages. The problem’s forcing a lot of folks to work more than one job or use a “side gig” to keep up with their bills. When something unexpected happens, they simply don’t have the money.
Finally, there’s a credit trap that many people don’t recognize until they’re in it: Banks are often willing to take bigger chances when the economy is humming along. They’ll extend credit to people who really can’t afford it and happily mire them in debt they can’t ever recover from as long as those people are working and can afford the minimum payments. Essentially “a great economy” and “lots of debt” tend to go together.
If your family is drowning under the weight of your credit card debt and other bills, it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s time to consider alternative solutions. Bankruptcy may be your best option. Find out how this legal process can help you find financial relief.