More high earning families are struggling to pay the bills.

A study by the Commission for Financial Capability has found families who have incomes between $100,000 and $150,000 debts were up.

Director of the Massey University Financial Education Centre Doctor Pushpa Wood told Mike Hosking it could be down to a number of reasons.

"They have inherited debt before they are earning that high income and therefore they are still paying debt whilst trying to provide on that salary."

Wood says it could also be bad managing of spending compared to income.

LISTEN TO PUSHPA WOOD TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE