Let’s face it — life can throw some serious curveballs, and sometimes keeping your head above water financially feels like a full-time job. Rising prices are pushing Americans into what Zety calls “survival debt.” According to its Survival Debt Report, nearly half of workers (48%) have borrowed money in the last year to cover groceries or utilities, while 71% carry credit card balances and 21% can make only minimum payments. Plus, 22% have delayed saving for retirement in order to stay financially afloat. ...

Core Insights - Many U.S. workers are increasingly relying on debt to cover essential expenses, with 48% using credit for basics like groceries and 88% of side gig workers taking on additional work to afford necessities [1] Group 1: Financial Strain and Debt - A significant portion of the workforce is experiencing financial strain, leading to survival debt that can accumulate due to interest and fees [1] - Immediate steps are recommended to manage finances, including prioritizing essential expenses and cutting recurring costs [2][3] Group 2: Practical Steps to Manage Finances - Experts suggest prioritizing payments for necessities such as shelter, food, and utilities, and making at least minimum payments on secured debts to avoid losing essential assets [5] - Creating a shopping list for necessary ingredients and asking for overtime at work are practical strategies to manage limited budgets [5] Group 3: Warning Signs of Financial Distress - Warning signs of financial distress include only making minimum payments, receiving calls from collectors, and juggling multiple debts to cover necessities [6] - Tracking spending and creating a spending log can help identify areas for potential cutbacks, with housing costs recommended to stay below 25% of income [7]