41% of credit card debt starts with a surprise expense — 3 ways to stay ahead

It starts with an emergency: surprise medical bills, new car tires, a home repair that couldn't wait. Before long, what felt like a temporary fix turns into ballooning debt. According to a recent Bankrate survey , 41% of credit card debtors say their debt came primarily from emergency/unexpected expenses, and 61% of them have been carrying that balance for at least a year. To avoid this debt altogether, it's crucial to have a cushion for when the next unplanned expense hits. …