81.   Now, some economists worry consumer debt has reached excessive levels.

82.   Rates are lower across the board, but consumer debt is very high already.

83.   Rising consumer debt and an all-time high in personal bankruptcies contributed to the increase in mortgage delinquencies, said Ron McCord, president of the MBA.

84.   Sales could slow in the months ahead because of the high level of consumer debt, analysts said.

85.   Reports of mounting problems with consumer debt and bankruptcies have been a sour note amid otherwise good economic news.

86.   Sales of consumer electronics have been slow industrywide amid a lack of compelling new products and high consumer debt, which has been keeping shoppers from making big-ticket purchases.

87.   Since March, late payments on consumer debt have surged.

88.   Skeptics also see little relationship between retail sales and consumer installment debt.

89.   Still, the manufacturers association said rising consumer debt could slow spending in the third quarter.

90.   Still, there are pessimists who say high consumer debt and climbing personal bankruptcies could put a clamp on spending.