Consumer mortgage debt has soared about 70 percent since 1995, according to the Federal Reserve and a study by National City Corp of Cleveland shows that the percentage of Americans who own their homes is rising. As people go from paying rent to paying a mortgage, it increases the national-debt burden .

People who buy a home don't pay rent. When you account for the fact that more people own homes, the average share of household income dedicated to mortgage payments in 2002 was almost exactly the same percentage of disposable income as it was in 1995.

William Natcher of National City says credit-card debt is also exaggerated because convenient credit cards have replaced cash. People who pay their cards in full still show a big balance during the month. And that accounts for much of the increase in debt levels.

About the Author:  Monique Danielle owns Portland Marketing Agency  DivaDesignWorld.com, a full service firm that offers web development, graphic design, consulting, and a wide variety of creative services.  She is also the founder of divadirectories.com, a free online resource designed to promote the growth and development of female business owners throughout Oregon, Washington, and the Northwest.