Many Americans are in financial distress. Nearly one-third of consumers with a credit file have debt in collections. Consumers in financial distress prioritize some debts over others, but long-term financial health depends on a consumer’s ability to stay current on all debt obligations. In this infographic we address the following questions:

• Which bills do consumers prioritize when in financial distress?
• What are the long-term consequences on financial health?
• What is the cost of poor credit?
• What can consumers do at the first sign of financial distress?