1 in 4 people say they’ll go into debt for the holidays. Is social media to blame?
Is social media to blame for holiday debt? Learn how to avoid its influence.
5 min read
Nov 21, 2024
Katie Kelton, CCC
Senior Writer, Credit Cards
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8Years of experience
CREDENTIALS
- Certified Credit Counselor™
EXPERTISE
- Rewards credit cards
- Travel credit cards
- Credit scores
- Debt management
- Building credit
EDUCATION
- Texas A&M University, Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing
About the author
Katie Kelton is a senior writer on Bankrate’s credit cards team and Certified Credit Counselor™ with the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors, bringing eight years of experience writing creative and financial content to help cardholders get savvy with their credit. She makes complex topics easy to understand — like how to read Bankrate survey data, maximize your credit card rewards or bump up your credit score. Thanks to the cards in her wallet, she hasn’t paid for a flight in months, and each of her (frequent) coffee shop stops puts cash back into her pocket.
Readers who share her curiosity about everyday people’s credit habits can tap into her survey data stories — like Americans’ debt usage and thoughts on tipping.
Before Bankrate, Katie wrote for Capital One, where she gained insight on the credit world from a card issuer’s perspective. And her career began in marketing, where she learned how to make life’s everyday decisions a little more fun.
Katie is from Austin and lives in Colorado Springs. Off the clock, you’ll find her heading outdoors with her pup, organizing her bookshelf and planning endless activities with friends.
Katie beyond Bankrate
Katie wants you to know
Your experience with credit cards can depend on your lifestyle. I take a minimalist approach to life and credit, using just three cards to earn rewards on flights, food and fun. Some cardholders might have one card they use for the same expenses each month. Others apply for every welcome bonus they can get their hands on.
There’s no single right way to use your credit cards. I suggest prioritizing on-time, in-full payments and rewards that fit your spending as you find a credit card strategy that works for you.
Around half of Americans struggle with credit card debt. But you can pay off debt while still enjoying some lifestyle purchases — it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. A budget is the best tool to keep in your back pocket.
— Katie Kelton, CCC
Katie's latest articles
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Survey: More than 4 in 5 holiday travelers are changing plans this season because of inflation
People who are traveling for the holidays are making changes to save money.
6 min read Oct 21, 2024 -
Survey: 43% of Americans have at least one unused gift card
More than 2 in 5 Americans have an unused gift card, gift voucher or store credit.
5 min read Sep 23, 2024 -
I’m a credit cards writer. Here are 7 things I wish I’d known about money in my early 20s
Here are 7 things I wish I’d known about money in my early 20s.
7 min read Sep 16, 2024 -
Seasons of expenses: How 3 families manage their seasonal costs
Certain seasons can put a strain on your budget, especially if you have kids.
7 min read Sep 06, 2024 -
Survey: 1 in 3 holiday shoppers are shortening their wish lists to spend less this year
Let’s say you’re walking through the mall during the holiday season and pass 10 shoppers. New Bankrate data shows that about three of those holiday shoppers (33 percent) plan to spend less on holiday [...]
5 min read Sep 05, 2024 -
Living paycheck to paycheck statistics
You might be living paycheck to paycheck if you don’t have money left over.
7 min read Aug 13, 2024 -
Keeping up with the Joneses: What it might be costing Americans
Americans might be going into credit card debt to keep up appearances.
6 min read Jul 12, 2024
