Why US Consumer Debt Is Hitting 18 Trillion in 2026

Consumer debt in the United States has crossed $18 trillion for the first time. Lucas and Luna dig into what's driving the surge—think auto loans, student debt, and credit cards—and why it's not the same kind of danger as 2008. With the Fed holding rates above 3.5 percent, borrowing costs are squeezing households unevenly. They look at who's struggling most, the role of subprime auto loans, and how delinquency patterns signal a two-track economy. If you're wondering whether this debt load is sustainable or a warning sign, this episode gives you the numbers and context to decide for yourself. #ConsumerDebt #18Trillion #FederalReserve #InterestRates #SubprimeAuto #CreditCards #StudentLoans #HouseholdFinance #Delinquency #USEconomy #Economics #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #PersonalFinance #DebtCrisis #AutoLoans #FedPolicy #TwoTrackEconomy Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo