Bankrate, Inc. (Nasdaq: RATE) today published the findings of a national poll which determined that 61% of Americans carry non-mortgage debt. Sixty-four percent of the respondents who carry debt admitted that debt is a cause of worry for them.

Key poll findings include:
- Americans have conflicting attitudes about debt. While 91 percent believe debt can be controlled by disciplined saving and spending, 72 percent also believe that debt is a part of modern life and difficult to avoid.

- 66 percent of Americans say debt is often the result of unfortunate circumstances beyond a person's control, while 60 percent say it is usually the result of bad decisions.

- Credit cards are the most frequently cited form of debt (45%).

- Higher income levels tend to carry debt month-to-month. For example, 75 percent of those with annual incomes of at least $75,000 regularly carry debt month-to month as opposed to only 36 percent of those with annual incomes under $20,000.

- Men worry less than women about the debt they carry (40 percent vs. 30 percent).

"Worrying about your debt can get overwhelming," said Julie Bandy, editor in chief of Bankrate.com. "Bankrate has the tools and information consumers need to set a plan for financial success," Mrs. Bandy added.