Financing for big-ticket items like autos did rise in September, but the Federal Reserve’s latest report on consumer credit also indicated that consumers are paring down debt in other areas.

Boosted by a gain in non-revolving credit, consumer borrowing rose by $7.4 billion in September after recording a $9.7 billion decrease the previous month.

Non-revolving debt, which includes auto loans, climbed by $8 billion. The increase reflected a $14.3 billion non-seasonally adjusted rise in the federal government category of borrowing, which includes student loans. The increase also reflected a rise in non-revolving borrowing at commercial banks.

Revolving debt, which includes credit cards, declined for the third straight month by $627 million. This could indicate that while consumers are making big-ticket item purchases, they’re deleveraging in other areas.