Credit card vs. savings account: What to use when you're unemployed

Unemployment is an unsettling situation that, for many, means a lack of steady income. As of Aug. 2025, 4.3% of Americans — 7.4 million — were unemployed and actively looking for work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you’re part of that demographic, here’s what to know about using a credit card vs. using your savings account to meet your expenses. Should I use my credit card while unemployed? While you may be able to get by with your savings in the short term, long stretches of unemployme ...