Australians are using credit cards to cover everyday expenses, new research from Finder shows.
With the ongoing cost-of-living challenges, a survey from the comparison website revealed that 11 percent of participants have used credit cards for everyday expenses.
For those who have credit card debt, 40 per cent don’t prioritise paying down what they owe.
Nearly 30 percent of those surveyed indicated they prioritized other expenses first, and 11 percent mentioned they were unable to pay down their credit card debt.
The survey found fewer women than men prioritised paying down their credit card debt.
Meanwhile, seven per cent of men said they could not afford to pay off their debt compared to 16 per cent of women.
Finder money expert Sarah Megginson said millions risked spiralling debt as a growing number put credit card repayments last.
“Neglecting to address credit card debt leaves millions of Australians stuck in a cycle, complicating budget management and causing significant stress,” Megginson explained.
“Plastic debt can quickly snowball because of the high interest rates and end up costing you far more than you borrowed.
“Every month you delay paying it off, you’re giving your bank more of your hard-earned money in interest.”
Meggison urged people to seek out help to get themselves into a more comfortable position.
“Managing credit card debts can feel overwhelming, like constantly shifting debt between accounts each month, but assistance is available,” she added.
“If your debts are snowballing, you can contact the National Debt Helpline for free financial counselling.”
