Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

More Americans cannot afford to pay emergency $400 bill: Poll

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Bloomberg
  • 4 Aug 2023 10:23
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

The results from the poll underline widespread financial fragility and difference, with 21% of Black and Hispanic adults unable to pay the bill as opposed to 19% of White adults.

  • x
  • The U.S. Capitol building is seen from the base of the Washington Monument as the sun rises in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 28, 2023. (AFP)
    The US Capitol building seen from the base of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, US, on May 28, 2023. (AFP)

A poll conducted by decision intelligence company Morning Consult for Bloomberg News showed that fewer Americans can now afford to handle a surprise $400 bill in the third quarter without taking on debt or a loan - dropping two percentage points to 46% compared with last quarter.

About one-third of respondents said some debt, like credit cards, is needed to pay off the bill, and around one in five people said they would not be able to pay it off. The survey was held between July 10-15 with over 11,000 respondents.

The results from the poll also underline widespread financial fragility and difference, with 21% of Black and Hispanic adults unable to pay the bill as opposed to 19% of White adults. On the other hand, over one in five students stated they would not afford to pay it off - that's 3 more percentage points from last quarter.

It's noteworthy that US inflation surged to a new four-decade high in May of last year, defying hopes that price pressures had peaked and deepening President Joe Biden's political troubles as Americans struggle to meet the cost of essentials like food and gas.

In an interview, Morning Consult Senior Economist Kayla Bruun argued: “We’ve had a lot of positive economic news lately, but there are a lot of consumers who aren’t really feeling this resilience," adding that those earning less than $50,000 a year are still suffering from price increases. 

Read next: A true American horror story: The debt deal and the future of the US

Related News

Putin open to meeting Zelensky pending expert-level talks: Peskov

Pro-'Israel' Democrats breaking with Netanyahu amid Gaza war

Meanwhile, those who earn higher were shown to be more than twice as likely than their opposites to claim they would pay the $400 with cash or equivalents - an increase of 3 percentage points to 71%.

Middle- and low-income earners who claimed they could cover the expense each plunged two points to 57% and 33%, respectively.

The poll demonstrates that the categories of respondents said their real-life emergency expenses and bills went up, especially medical bills, which increased to a median of $380 - up $62 from last quarter.

This comes after a June survey from Bloomberg said that 42 economists predict that there is a 60% chance of a recession hitting the country within the next 12-month period, up from 50% in December 2022.

At the start of this year, a report titled: “New Reality Check: The Paycheck-To-Paycheck Report,” part of a PYMNTS and LendingClub collaboration, revealed that 9.3 million more consumers at the end of 2022 were living paycheck to paycheck, although, eight million of them earn more than $100,000 annually and still find it difficult to save money - becoming a mass 'working poor'. 

While the American people suffer, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) approved an $886 billion last week that Biden requested for 2024 military programs, giving troops a 5.2% pay hike and providing $300 million for Ukraine's security.

Read more: Confidence in US military at 60%, lowest since 1997

  • United States
  • economy
  • Poverty
  • US

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS