With the U.S. economy solidly in recovery and Europe’s sovereign debt crisis easing — at least for now — red ink nevertheless remains a big issue for American consumers, corporations and governments.
With the jobless rate still high and income gains meager, people are suffering from a lack of cash and are pulling out their credit cards, bringing the nation's credit card balance to a staggering $693 billion.
Despite new plans by President Barack Obama for college loans, students have been taking on unprecedented levels of debt. Outstanding student loan balances now stand at about $870 billion, according to a recent analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, topping the amount of outstanding credit-card debt for the first time.
On the housing side, foreclosures and declining home prices have contributed to a six-year real estate slump, but consumer confidence in housing has improved and potential homebuyers and sellers are growing more confident.
Are you worried? If so, what's the source?