if 32% of people say that discretionary spending is the number one cause of their debt, doesn't that cast at least some doubt as to whether economic inequality is the primary cause of this particular issue?

Why would an increase in economic inequality increase discretionary debt? The wealthy would pay it off, and the poor would be tightening their belts (or at least not loosening them).

The broader problem definitely has to do with inequality, but this slice of it is surprising and really probably doesn't relate to that.

I suspect rising income inequality and increasing housing costs are the primary drivers of CC debt.

You generally can't pay rent with a CC and if rent goes up but income doesn't, then I could see people using CC to make ends meet.

Of course for some, overconsumption is the culprit, but I doubt it is for most people.

In the article, it says for 32%, discretionary spending was the primary cause. That's all I was talking about.