We're Piling Up Debt Again--Is That a Good Thing?

Skip navigation #headerOverlay{ color: #ccd6df; font-size:11px; line-height:130%; } #headerOverlay strong{ color: #ffd226; } #headerOverlay a {color:#ccd6df;text-decoration:none;} #headerOverlay a:hover {color:#ffd226;} #headerOverlay a:visited {color:#ccd6df;} #headerOverlay a:visited:hover {color:#ffd226;} Symbol Lookup onloadAutoSuggest(); var pgValue = "CNBSEB"; var cmsKeyWord = "alternative investing"; var cmsNewPG = "CNBWAB"; if ((cmsKeyWord.length > 0) && (cmsNewPG.length > 0)) { var newPG = cmsNewPG.split(';'); var group = cmsKeyWord.split(';'); if (newPG.length == group.length) { var description = cnbc_pagedesc.toLowerCase(); for(var x = 0; x < group.length; x++) { var keyWord = group[x].split('|'); for (var j = 0; j < keyWord.length; j++) { if (description.indexOf(keyWord[j].toLowerCase()) != -1) { pgValue = newPG[x]; j = keyWord.length; x = group.length; }}}}} if (cnbc_DARTFlag=="new") { cnbc_DARTAdCall(88,31,pgValue); } else { dapMgr.enableACB("SearchBox88x31",false); dapMgr.renderAd("SearchBox88x31","&PG=" + pgValue + "&AP=1071&PN=CNBC",88,31); } cnbc_displayUsername("cnbc_usertime","cnbc_username");RegisterSign InMember CenterSign OutRegistercnbc_toggleUserState();HOMENEWSMARKETSEARNINGSINVESTINGSMALL BUSINESSVIDEOCNBC TVCNBC PROU.S.Asia-PacificEuropeEconomyEnergyPoliticsTechnologyBlogsSlideshowsSpecial Reports if (cnbc_DARTFlag=="new") { cnbc_DARTAdCall(728,90,"CNBGE7"); } else { dapMgr.enableACB("USNewsBlogs728",false); dapMgr.renderAd("USNewsBlogs728","&PG=CNBGE7&AP=1390&PN=CNBC",728,90); } Consumer Nation var cnbcSubHeaderId = document.getElementById('subheader_'+ 33451956); cnbcSubHeaderId.innerHTML = document.getElementById('renderReaderContent').innerHTML; if (cnbc_DARTFlag=="new") { cnbc_DARTAdCall(300,900,"CNBGE3"); } else { dapMgr.enableACB("USNewsBlogs300x250",false); dapMgr.renderAd("USNewsBlogs300x250","&PG=CNBGE3&AP=&PN=CNBC",300,900); } RECENT POSTS» MoreCurrent DateTime: 07:29:22 07 Mar 2012LinksList Documentid: 29019641 cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "29019641_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); In Wake of Strong Sales, Time Is Right for Retail IPOs cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46640221", "29019641_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Business Climate, Travel Improving: Loews Exec cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46632048", "29019641_2","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Gilt Focused on Raising Margins Ahead of IPO: CEO cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46594320", "29019641_3","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Will March Pay for February's Retail Sales Gains? cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46590767", "29019641_4","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); The Basics, Some Extras & Savings"”You'll Need $150,000 a Year cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46592206", "29019641_5","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Retail Mantra: If You Email, The Shoppers Will Come cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46591742", "29019641_6","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); High-End Customers Still Want Value: Cartier Executive cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46590743", "29019641_7","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Some Retailers Offer Strong Sales, Wal-Mart Offers a Dividend cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46589309", "29019641_8","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Retailers Expected to Post Robust Sales in February cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46575320", "29019641_9","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Retailers 'Leap' at the Chance for an Extra Day of Sales cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46573333", "29019641_10","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "29019641_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); RSS FEED» HelpCurrent DateTime: 07:29:22 07 Mar 2012LinksList Documentid: 30001839Subscribe to this RSS feed

Stay up to date with the Consumer Nation blog.

MOST SHAREDCurrent DateTime: 11:09:52 07 Mar 2012LinksList Documentid: 31330905Expiration DateTime: 3/7/2012 11:12:45 AM cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "31330905_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); US Is 'In Danger of Becoming Europe': Mitt Romney cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("http://www.cnbc.com/id/46653360", "31330905_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Does Rising Consumer Debt Show Strength or Stress? cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("http://www.cnbc.com/id/46641111", "31330905_2","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Wall Streeters Scoff at 'Manhattan Madame' Prosecutor's Prostitute Prices cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("http://www.cnbc.com/id/46653562", "31330905_3","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Busch: Trading on the Greek Debt Swap and the European Central Bank cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("http://www.cnbc.com/id/46653544", "31330905_4","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); 4 Dividend and Buyback-Ready Bank Stocks cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("http://www.cnbc.com/id/46640657", "31330905_5","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Allen Stanford Investors Face Long Haul to Recover Money cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("http://www.cnbc.com/id/46653333", "31330905_6","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); What the West Can Learn From China About Growth cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("http://www.cnbc.com/id/46650845", "31330905_7","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); American Express Partners With Twitter to Enlist Consumers for a New Marketing Play cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("http://www.cnbc.com/id/46653194", "31330905_8","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Greek Bond Swap Prospects Lifted by Pledges cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("http://www.cnbc.com/id/46652027", "31330905_9","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Web Sites Shine Light on Petty Bribery Worldwide cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("http://www.cnbc.com/id/46653869", "31330905_10","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "31330905_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); LATEST FROM OUR BLOGS» MoreCurrent DateTime: 11:09:41 07 Mar 2012LinksList Documentid: 23452000Expiration DateTime: 3/7/2012 11:12:40 AM cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "23452000_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); The Bourbon Economy Bounces Back cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46655335", "23452000_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46655335", "23452000_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "23452000_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "23452000_2","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Parsing Home Prices Proves Precarious cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46655354", "23452000_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Stocks On the Move Now: Pandora Tanks cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46654470", "23452000_2","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Why Mulally's $58 Million Payout Shouldn't Bother People cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46654484", "23452000_3","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); The Right Time to Sell Apple's Stock Is... cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46654064", "23452000_4","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Forget the Basics "” How Retailers Plan to Boost Sales This Fall cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46627750", "23452000_5","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Morici: Report Expected Fewer Jobs Added in February cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46654194", "23452000_6","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); American Express Partners With Twitter to Enlist Consumers for a New Marketing Play cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46653194", "23452000_7","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Does Rising Consumer Debt Show Strength or Stress? cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46641111", "23452000_8","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Busch: Trading on the Greek Debt Swap and the European Central Bank cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46653544", "23452000_9","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "23452000_2","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); TOP HEADLINES» Markets | Economy | CompaniesCurrent DateTime: 11:09:38 07 Mar 2012LinksList Documentid: 23452764Expiration DateTime: 3/7/2012 11:12:24 AM cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "23452764_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Apple Unveils a New iPad With Faster Speeds, Better Graphics cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46655355", "23452764_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46655355", "23452764_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "23452764_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "23452764_2","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Americans Pile Up Debt Again"”Is That a Good Thing? cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46641111", "23452764_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Some Hedge Funds Oppose Greek Bond Deal cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46655690", "23452764_2","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Romney: Impossible to Know Cost of His Tax Plan cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46655159", "23452764_3","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Wall Streeters: No One Goes to Brothel With $2000 Cash cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46653562", "23452764_4","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Is This Stock Correction the Start of Something Bigger? cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46646974", "23452764_5","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Energy Prices Starting to Affect Economy: Hatzius cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46654852", "23452764_6","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Why Greek Default May Be Gift to Other Euro Strugglers cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46650381", "23452764_7","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Where Will Peyton Manning Play in the Fall?  cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("15840232?video=3000077230&play=1", "23452764_8","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); How Retailers Plan to Boost Sales This Fall cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("46627750", "23452764_9","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "23452764_2","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); setDefault('cnbc_textbody');Does Rising Consumer Debt Show Strength or Stress? Published: Wednesday, 7 Mar 2012 | 10:28 AM ET Text Size By: Jennifer Leigh ParkerWriter, CNBC.com #divButtons .gig-button-container-facebook-like {margin-right:-2px;} #divButtons .gig-button-container-twitter {margin-right:15px;} #divButtons .gig-button-container-google-plusone {margin-right:-16px;} #divButtons .gig-button-container-linkedin {margin-right:17px;} var params ={ userAction:ua, shareButtons: [{provider:'facebook-like',action:'recommend'},{provider:'twitter'},{provider:'google-plusone'},{provider:'linkedin'},{provider:'share',enableCount:false}], containerID: 'divButtons'} if (navigator.userAgent.indexOf("MSIE 6") Read Full Article »