Over 1/4th of Americans expect to go into debt to buy holiday presents

Business & FinancePersonal Finance
12 Oct 2026 • 10:01 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Over 1/4th of Americans expect to go into debt to buy holiday presents

  • A new survey found that nearly half of American shoppers plan to borrow money and 27% expect to go into debt to afford holiday gifts.
  • Concerns about gift affordability and the job market affect 49% of consumers, with existing debt further limiting holiday budgets.
  • The study highlights a K-shaped economy, showing that the wealthiest 10 percent of shoppers plan to spend five times more than the average consumer.
  • Federal Reserve data show wealth for the top 10 percent of Americans has grown 22 percent since 2024, compared to 13 percent for the bottom 50 percent.
  • To keep holiday expenses under control, 25 percent of shoppers plan to switch to lower-priced brands and products.

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