Credit agency Dun and Bradstreet says families and young people are struggling with spending and are likely to take on more debt in the coming months.
Nearly a third of all consumers surveyed by the agency say they will need to use their credit card for otherwise unaffordable expenses in the next three months.
The figure is higher for young people, 40% of whom say they will turn to their credit cards, while 71% of families with five children say they will be forced to use them.
Dun & Bradsteet general manager John Scott says, however, that the survey shows older people are now more likely to use their savings, instead of credit, to buy big-ticket items.
He says 83% of the 50+ group say they would pay for major items out of their savings.
