Yeah seriously. This reminds me of a poll of Minnesota college students that said something like 34% are in debt. Uh, college students? Try well over twice that.
I imagine That depends on whether you counting Tuition costs as debt (though I would need to know how the system operates in the US to be sure). Though even without tuition fees student debt is way, way too common here.
As for Mortgages, the tradition as far as I know is not lump them in with consumer debt (unless in the situations Verily stated).
Also, LOL @ the poll.
