institute for research on poverty discussion paper no 1148 97 credit cards and the poor edward j bird public policy political science university of rochester e mail ejbd troi cc edu paul a hagstrom department economics hamilton college phagstro robert wild rwild october 1997 thank emerson foundation funding their work this project irp publications papers special reports newsletter focus are now available internet web site can be accessed at following address http www ssc wisc abstract we use data from four releases survey consumer finances 1983 to 1995 examine card among market has expanded rapidly in general population given often transitory nature more families may using rather than welfare or other means smooth consumption across income shortfalls indeed percentage holding rose less 20 percent almost 40 average real balance
