More Americans Are Buying Groceries With Credit Cards. The Long-Term Cost Could Be Painful

Source: International Business Times

Financial experts say the trend can become particularly costly when balances are carried from month to month. Freepik More working-age Americans are relying on credit cards to pay for groceries as persistent cost-of-living pressures strain household finances, raising concerns among consumer advocates about the growing use of debt to cover everyday essentials. A new survey from the Urban Institute found that more than one in three working-age adults used a credit card to purchase groceries in 2025, with many reporting difficulty paying off those balances.