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American credit card debt continues to climb while GenZ is unaware of APR repercussions

Written by Sarah James ·

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SUMMARY
  • 46% of credit card holders are carrying debt month-to-month due to inflation.
  • Half of Gen Z doesn't understand how APR affects the debt they're carrying.
  • Cashback rewards are popular but work better as a short-term perk than a debt payoff strategy.
  • A 0% APR card, like Tomo's, lets young adults avoid interest charges while still building credit.
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A Growing Awareness Gap

According to Bankrate, 46% of credit card holders are currently carrying debt month-to-month due to inflation and paying for daily expenses. 50% of GenZ don't know and don't understand the APR linked to their debt. So what does this mean?

With no real idea of when inflation will start to go down, many young adults are relying on their credit cards to make purchases. What many of them do not understand is how carrying a balance can affect their credit score and the impacts of interest rates on their balance.

Cashback Isn't the Whole Strategy

By carrying debt and not being able to pay back, people are racking up fees from the high interest rates and negatively impacting their credit scores. In a survey from Bankrate that asked which credit card feature is the best and most often used, 36% answered cash back rewards. Cashback is great, BUT, it can be more of a short-term strategy to pay down debt. Instead of thinking about immediate returns, young adults should start strategizing a plan for longer-term debt payoff, like choosing credit cards with 0 or low APR.

GenZ's Favorite Credit Card

Enter Tomo, 0% APR/interest credit card that doesn't require credit history. The Tomo card, also known as GenZ's favorite credit card, has gained popularity among young adults due to its 0 APR and ability for card holders to never carry a balance. This is the perfect card in 2023 as more and more Americans are leaning on credit cards to pay off daily expenses.

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The language used on this page is for creative purposes only. TomoCredit (or TomoBoost) does not guarantee an increase in credit score. Individual results vary based on each person's unique credit history and financial circumstances, and subscription payments are non-refundable.