Americans are finding it more difficult to come by credit at present due to ongoing economic problems.

But even when the financial crisis comes to an end, some experts are predicting that the credit system will not return to the "easy" days experienced before the credit crunch began, the Associated Press reports.

Senior analyst Greg McBride of Bankrate explained that attitudes are beginning to change and that the current tightness in the market is "a wake-up call to anybody who was attempting to borrow their way to prosperity".

"I think we're undergoing a fundamental shift from living on borrowed money to one where living within your means," he added.

Xinhua reported Federal Reserve figures from last week that demonstrated US consumer credit had fallen by 3.7 percent - the first drop in ten years.

Pay day loans are one alternative for consumer struggling to get hold of credit via traditional means. They provide a short-term solution to financial crises and are paid back immediately after consumers receive their next pay check.

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