Making Do: Credit

Credit is a common feature of household finances. For some, their use is simply to maximize rewards or cash back, and credit cards are paid in full monthly. For others, credit is used to supplement incomes that fall short of the rising cost of food, including infant formula, and other basic needs. The use of credit can be a protective factor against household food insecurity, especially during times of economic uncertainty and rising costs. On the other hand, money spent servicing debt from credit cards means less available income to put toward the household food budget, which can then exacerbate the risk of food insecurity.

“We still worry about money and use a credit card to pay for food and formula. We may not be starving, but we have debt to pay off and that is a worry and stressful, sometimes just being able to make basic payments of interest.”

—Survey Participant

“What I do is to try and make sales from the side business alongside the part-time salary and if there aren’t enough sales, I reach out to friends and family or borrow from credit cards.”

—Omolade, United States

“I had to stockpile formula from another province to guarantee I’d have supply to feed my baby. Couldn’t afford to do so, ended up not paying bills and being sent to collections […] The stress that ensued afterward is still taking a toll on my life.”

—Survey Participant