Consumers Report Growing Debt and Heightened Anxiety Since Spring 2025

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – August 27, 2025 – A new survey from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and The Harris Poll reveals a troubling trend in consumer finances, showing a deterioration in financial behaviors and attitudes between spring and August of this year. The findings indicate that Americans are increasingly struggling with debt and feeling less secure about their financial future.

Key highlights from the “2025 NFCC Consumer Financial Literacy and Preparedness Survey” include:

• Growing Financial Distress: Over half of Americans (53%) reported experiencing a negative change to their personal finances in the past six months, an increase from 49% in the spring.
• Worsening Credit Card Habits: The number of Americans engaging in detrimental credit card behaviors has risen, with a significant increase in those making less than the minimum payment required (13% in August vs. 8% in Spring) and transferring credit card balances (13% vs. 8%).
• Heightened Financial Anxiety: The number of Americans who feel like their money situation will prevent them from ever having the things they want in life has increased from 26% in the spring to 29% in August. Additionally, more Americans now believe being in debt makes it harder to make good decisions in other non-financial parts of their lives, with this sentiment increasing from 53% in the spring to 63% in August.

“The latest data from our surveys confirms that debt is no longer a background concern but a daily struggle for many families,” said Bruce McClary, NFCC spokesperson. “The increase in detrimental behaviors and negative attitudes underscores the persistent financial pressure facing households, which also foreshadows potential increases in delinquencies and defaults in the months ahead.”

These new findings align with the NFCC’s Financial Stress Forecast, which reached its highest level since 2019 in the second quarter of 2025.

For more information and a full copy of the survey results, please contact press@nfcc.org.

About NFCC

Founded in 1951, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) is the oldest nonprofit dedicated to improving people’s financial well-being. With a growing network of NFCC Certified Credit Counselors serving 50 states and all U.S. territories, NFCC nonprofit counselors are financial advocates, empowering millions of consumers to take charge of their finances through one-on-one financial reviews that address credit card debt, student loans, housing decisions, and overall money management. For expert guidance and advice, visit www.nfcc.org.