FLORIDA \u2013 More Floridians are turning to nonprofit credit counselors for help as household expenses rise and debt grows faster than income, according to new data from Money Management International.<\/p>\n
MMI said credit counseling volume in Florida increased 7% during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth in the number of consumers seeking financial counseling.<\/p>\n
The average Florida client seeking help now carries more than $31,000 in unsecured debt, including credit cards and other unsecured loans. That represents a 10% increase from a year ago and outpaces the 6% growth in average net income among clients, the organization said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are now coming to us in Florida with an average of $31,000, and younger people are coming to us in greater numbers and with more debt than ever before,\u201d said Thomas Nitsche.<\/p>\n
MMI said average monthly living expenses among Florida clients exceeded $4,500 in 2026, up 6% year over year.<\/p>\n
Nitsche said many households are relying on credit cards to cover routine expenses when paychecks fall short.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe average client comes to us with about a $200 to $300 a month shortfall, which is typically put on a credit card,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen you run out of paycheck, you turn to credit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Younger adults seeing fastest debt growth<\/p>\n
The sharpest increase was among Floridians ages 21 to 30, who carried roughly $20,000 in unsecured debt but experienced an 18% increase year over year the largest jump of any age group.<\/p>\n
MMI said the trend is concerning because younger adults generally have fewer savings, fewer assets and less financial cushion to absorb unexpected expenses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are people that have less assets to fall back on, they probably have less savings, they\u2019re earlier in their careers, so they really have less cushion when they\u2019re beset by financial setbacks,\u201d Nitsche said.<\/p>\n
Pre-retirement consumers are also facing growing pressure. Clients ages 51 to 60 saw unsecured debt increase 15% year over year, highlighting increasing financial strain among older working-age adults.<\/p>\n
National trends reflected in Florida<\/p>\n
MMI said the Florida data closely mirrors broader national patterns. Nationwide, the average unsecured debt among clients seeking counseling reached $34,000 in June, the highest level the organization has recorded.<\/p>\n
The organization also reported a 10-year high in enrollment in debt management programs, suggesting more consumers are seeking structured assistance to repay debt.<\/p>\n
Nitsche attributed much of the increase to rising housing costs, insurance premiums, utilities and other essential expenses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWages aren\u2019t keeping up with inflation and the cost of living, especially housing-related expenses,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople are just stretched really thin right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Advice: Seek help before a crisis<\/p>\n
MMI advises consumers to seek financial counseling before they fall behind on payments or enter collections.<\/p>\n
Warning signs include making only minimum payments, delaying payments until the due date, repeatedly using balance transfers to manage debt, or relying on credit cards to cover regular household expenses.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy best advice is to act sooner than later,\u201d Nitsche said. \u201cThe sooner you talk to somebody, the more options are available.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the worsening numbers, he said more people appear to be seeking information about debt relief and budgeting through online resources and financial counseling services before reaching a breaking point.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully it gets better soon,\u201d Nitsche said. \u201cBut all indicators so far are that it\u2019s still headed in the wrong direction.\u201d<\/p>\n
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