In this article we show that optimistic financial expectations impact positively on both the quantity of debt and the growth in debt at the individual and household levels. Our theoretical model shows that this association is predicted under a variety of plausible scenarios. In the empirical analysis we explore the determinants of debt and of growth in debt using British data. We find convincing support for our theoretical priors and show that it is optimistic financial expectations per se that are important in influencing debt, rather than the accuracy of individuals' predictions regarding their future financial situation. (JEL D18, D84, D91) Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.
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Article provided by Oxford University Press in its journal Economic Inquiry.
Volume (Year): 43 (2005) Issue (Month): 1 (January) Pages: 100-120 Download reference. The following formats are available: HTML
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Find related papers by JEL classification: D18 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Protection D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations D91 - Microeconomics - - Intertemporal Choice and Growth - - - Intertemporal Consumer Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving
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