#household-debt

#household-debt

For the second month, low payment rates (33.4%) and high pre-Christmas spending led to rising average balances. These trends signal continued financial stress for consumers, with balances continuing their persistent upward trend seen in recent years. It is expected that payment rates will increase in January as consumers traditionally focus on paying off Christmas spend in the New Year. December typically sees the number of customers missing one payment increase and 2025 was no exception, as consumers prioritised new spending over repaying balances.

What they don't realize is that most of the ages they attach to those goals don't exist. A recent survey from found that the average age Americans think you should land your dream job is at 29, buy your first home at 30, and earn six figures by 35. They also reckon you should be debt-free at 41 and ready to retire at 58-but they're in for a shock, that's 6 years earlier than the national average age of retirement.