U.S. credit card debt hits all-time high, poses warning for holiday shoppers
www.kltv.com

... The holidays are supposed to be fun and festive, but it's also a source of stress with unexpected expenses. This year, many of us are heading into the holiday season carrying more credit card debt than ever before.

According to a new study from Lending Tree, Americans' total credit card debt is now at a record $1.23T as of the third quarter of this year. That's a 6% increase from last year.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants say 79% of shoppers will use a credit card to knock out their holiday shopping, but 52% don't expect to pay the bill in full when it arrives.

25% of Americans set a holiday budget, but most don't stick to it. If you're already behind on bills, you might want to take a step back and focus on prioritizing your list. That means making your minimum payments, not adding on additional debt, and paying down your highest balances that have the highest interest rates. ...