Inflation-Fueled Leap in Debt-Management Enrollments Sets 2026 Record

A record uptick in debt-management activity in early 2026 shows Americans grappling with higher prices: Money Management International reports 15,000 new clients and an average balance near $40,000, while total U.S. household debt hits a record $18.8 trillion and the personal savings rate sits at 2.7%. Slower savings, rising card delinquencies, and growing use of personal loans or zero-interest cards highlight the tools and trade-offs people rely on to manage debt, though these solutions aren’t universal fixes.