Credit Card debt haunts millions

Credit card debt is likely to remain a widespread problem with a national unemployment rate that climbed to 10.2 percent, said Timothy Green of Credit.com.

The newest figures from the U.S. government confirmed a longtime expectation among many economists that the unemployment rate would finally exceed 10 percent. Other signs of economic improvement have been seen in the stock market and some consumer spending figures, but employment is often slower to gain momentum during an economic recovery.

"We have known for some time now that the unemployment rate could reach this level, and it is an unacceptable situation. We are working hard to reverse these circumstances for the millions of Americans who need and want work but cannot find it," said Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

Nationwide, the economy lost 190,000 jobs in September as unemployment climbed to its highest point in more than 25 years, although Solis noted that at the peak of the recession, monthly job losses were closer to 700,000.

A statement from the White House noted that there had been 33,700 jobs created in the temporary help sector, which is said to frequently see growth earlier then other industries when a recovery is underway.