A new survey from the Urban Institute found that more than one in three working-age adults used a credit card to purchase groceries in 2025, with many reporting difficulty paying off those balances. The findings point to a growing dependence on revolving credit for necessities rather than discretionary spending. Unlike short-term borrowing, revolving credit accumulates interest over time, meaning consumers may continue paying for grocery purchases long after the food has been consumed. Credit card balances have also climbed to record levels in recent years. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows Americans continue to carry historically high levels of credit card debt, with elevated interest rates making those balances more expensive to repay.