Quick Summary
- More than half of Americans used at least one risky financial stopgap late last year, with many cutting essentials, missing debt payments or even skipping medical care to stay afloat.
- For borrowers buried under high-interest balances, you can compare lenders and personalized loan options in minutes without affecting credit scores.
For a growing share of Americans, the numbers don’t line up anymore.
A survey issued by Achieve found that in the last three months of 2025, 51% resorted to at least one “risky financial stopgap” after falling short on what they already owed. Half of those who took action cut spending on basic needs, 34% leaned harder on credit cards and 26% pulled money from emergency or short‑term savings.
In more severe cases, the trade‑offs were stronger. One in five respondents missed at least one debt payment, and another one in five delayed or skipped medical treatment. About 9% said they reduced or skipped prescribed medication doses. For households in that position, even small moves to lower the cost of existing debt or consolidate balances can be the difference between a short‑term setback and a long‑term spiral.
“This is what the K-shaped economy looks like in the real world,” said Achieve Co-CEO Andrew Housser. “There’s an affluent half of the population whose financial lives aren’t disrupted by momentary inconveniences. But for everyone else, financial triage and tradeoffs are a way of life.”
Belt‑tightening down to the last notch
The survey suggests many households have already exhausted easy ways to cut back. More than 9 in 10 said they could only reduce housing costs, bills …
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