3 credit card debt mistakes borrowers should avoid this November

There are multiple costly credit card debt mistakes that borrowers should avoid making this November. J Studios/Getty Images

Household debt hit a new record high in the third quarter of 2025, according to a report released earlier this month . The cumulative household debt in the country grew to $18.59 trillion, increasing by $197 billion from the previous quarter. And while that was largely driven by mortgage debt, credit card debt also contributed to this troubling statistic.

Specifically, credit card balances grew to $1.23 trillion in the third quarter of the year. That's nearly 6% higher than it was one year ago, marking a $24 billion increase in the third quarter alone. Combined with credit card interest rates sitting at 21% , just under a record high, it's easy to s