What percentage of debt is OK?
Ideally, financial experts like to see a DTI of no more than 15 to 20 percent of your net income. For example, a family with a $250 car payment and $100 of monthly credit card payments, and $2,500 net income per month would have a DTI of 14 percent ($350/$2,500 = 0.14 or 14%).
Debt-to-income ratio is your monthly debt obligations compared to your gross monthly income (before taxes), expressed as a percentage. A good debt-to-income ratio is less than or equal to 36%.
35% or less: Looking Good - Relative to your income, your debt is at a manageable level. You most likely have money left over for saving or spending after you've paid your bills. Lenders generally view a lower DTI as favorable.
Lenders prefer bad debt to sales ratios under 0.4 or 40%. However, most companies prefer to have much lower numbers than this. Unless you have no bad debt, there is room to improve.
Over 40% is considered a bad debt equity ratio for banks. Similarly, a good debt to asset ratio typically falls below 0.4 or 40%. This means that your total debt is less than 40% of your total assets.
If you have $80,000 in student loan debt, you may find it to be a significant burden — though it isn't difficult to understand how you were saddled with such a high debt amount.
According to the Experian 2020 State of Credit report, the average Gen X consumer has about $32,878 in non-mortgage debt, such as credit cards, student loans, car loans and/or personal loans. Gen X homeowners have an average mortgage balance of $245,127.
Most lenders say a DTI of 36% is acceptable, but they want to lend you money, so they're willing to cut some slack. Many financial advisors say a DTI higher than 35% means you have too much debt. Others stretch the boundaries up to the 49% mark.
$15,000 can be an intimidating total when you see it on credit card statements, but you don't have to be in debt forever. If you're struggling to make your minimum payments every month and you don't see light at the end of the tunnel, sign up for a debt management program to get out of debt fast.
If it's between 43% to 50%, take action to reduce your debt load; consulting a nonprofit credit counseling agency may be helpful. If it's 50% or more, your debt load is high risk; consider getting advice from a bankruptcy attorney.
Is 60% debt ratio good?
Broadly speaking, ratios of 60% (0.6) or more are considered high, while ratios of 40% (0.4) or less are considered low. However, what constitutes a “good debt ratio” can vary depending on industry norms, business objectives, and economic conditions.
From a pure risk perspective, debt ratios of 0.4 or lower are considered better, while a debt ratio of 0.6 or higher makes it more difficult to borrow money.
If you have a DTI ratio between 36% and 49%, this means that while the current amount of debt you have is likely manageable, it may be a good idea to pay off your debt. While lenders may be willing to offer you credit, a DTI ratio above 43% may deter some lenders.
Is $2,000 too much credit card debt? $2,000 in credit card debt is manageable if you can pay more than the minimum each month. If it's hard to keep up with the payments, then you'll need to make some financial changes, such as tightening up your spending or refinancing your debt.
Generation | Average credit card debt |
---|---|
Baby boomers (58–76) | $6,245 |
Generation X (42–57) | $8,134 |
Millennials (26–41) | $5,649 |
Generation Z (19–25) | $2,854 |
Americans are tumbling deeper into debt, with the typical household paying $1,583 a month on various loans, a recent study found. That's a more than $300 increase from people's average monthly debt payment in 2020, according to LendingTree.
Around 23% of Americans are debt free, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Reserve. That figure factors in every type of debt, from credit card balances and student loans to mortgages, car loans and more. The exact definition of debt free can vary, though, depending on whom you ask.
“Shark Tank” investor Kevin O'Leary has said the ideal age to be debt-free is 45, especially if you want to retire by age 60. Being debt-free — including paying off your mortgage — by your mid-40s puts you on the early path toward success, O'Leary argued.
How Many Americans Are Living Paycheck to Paycheck? A 2023 survey conducted by Payroll.org highlighted that 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, a 6% increase from the previous year. In other words, more than three-quarters of Americans struggle to save or invest after paying for their monthly expenses.
Personal debt can be considered to be unmanageable when the level of required repayments cannot be met through normal income streams. This would usually occur over a sustained period of time, causing overall debt levels to increase to a level beyond which somebody is able to pay.
What is the 50 30 20 rule?
The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals. Let's take a closer look at each category.
According to the 28/36 rule, you should spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing and no more than 36% on all debts. Housing costs can include: Your monthly mortgage payment. Homeowners Insurance.
It will take 47 months to pay off $20,000 with payments of $600 per month, assuming the average credit card APR of around 18%. The time it takes to repay a balance depends on how often you make payments, how big your payments are and what the interest rate charged by the lender is.
The average debt an American owes is $104,215 across mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, auto loans, credit card debt, student loan debt, and other debts like personal loans. Data from Experian breaks down the average debt a consumer holds based on type, age, credit score, and state.
Experts generally agree that it's wise to have between 3 and 9 months' worth of essential living expenses stored up in an emergency savings account. “If you spend $5,000 per month on mortgage, rent, food, utilities, your target emergency savings should be between $15,000 and $45,000,” says Jessee.
References
- https://wallethub.com/student-loan-calculator
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/average-american-debt-by-age/
- https://www.clearfinances.net/countries-without-public-debt/
- https://www.moneygeek.com/debt/resources/how-debt-can-harm-your-health/
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/good-debt-vs-bad-debt/
- https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/gloucestershire/policies/unmanageable-debt-policy
- https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-student-loan-debt-trends-economic-impact
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/average-american-debt
- https://rooseveltinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/RI_UnburdenedCancellingStudentDebt_FactSheet_202101.pdf
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/average-american-debt-in-40s/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-long-will-it-take-to-pay-off-5000-in-credit-card-debt/
- https://nypost.com/refinance-student-loans/how-to-pay-off-80k-in-student-loans/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/student-loans/who-owns-my-student-loans
- https://outofyourrut.com/10-reasons-why-people-cannot-get-out-of-debt/
- https://educationdata.org/what-happens-if-student-loan-debt-is-canceled
- https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/CitizensAdvice/Debt%20and%20Money%20Publications/The%20Debt%20Effect.pdf
- https://hk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-debt-finance
- https://www.edelweisstokio.in/b/slice-of-life/a-life-without-debt
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/student-loan-debt-takes-a-toll-on-a-vulnerable-populations-mental-health1/
- https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/good-debt-vs-bad-debt
- https://www.thebalancemoney.com/debt-free-characteristics-4059833
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/082115/10-tips-managing-your-student-loan-debt.asp
- https://equifund.com/blog/how-to-use-debt-to-build-wealth/
- https://www.lightspeedhq.com/blog/advantages-of-debt-financing/
- https://educationdata.org/student-loan-debt-by-race
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/debt.asp
- https://www.thebalancemoney.com/reasons-debt-is-bad-960048
- https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/americas-finance-guide/national-debt/
- https://www.schwabmoneywise.com/essentials/good-debt-vs-bad-debt
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/living-paycheck-to-paycheck-statistics-2024/
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/ways-to-deal-with-debt-stress/
- https://www.visualcapitalist.com/government-debt-by-country-advanced-economies/
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/baddebt.asp
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/debt-settlement-risks/
- https://www.lendingtree.com/student/student-loan-debt-statistics/
- https://www.theforage.com/blog/skills/debt-ratio
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-much-debt-is-too-much
- https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/coping-with-financial-stress.htm
- https://research.com/universities-colleges/college-dropout-rates
- https://www.pacificdebt.com/what-is-a-good-debt-to-equity-ratio
- https://www.vedantu.com/commerce/debt-free-countries
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/13/nearly-half-of-young-adults-have-money-dysmorphia-survey-finds.html
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/student-loans/100k-student-loan-monthly-payment/
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/how-much-debt-too-much/
- https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/mcminis/business/why-is-debt-cheaper-than-equity-7149681.html
- https://educationdata.org/student-loan-debt-statistics
- https://www.education.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Mindi-Reardon_Genoa-Twin-River-HS_Who-Wants-To-Be-Millionair-Lesson-Plan.pdf
- https://www.lendingtree.com/debt-consolidation/whats-a-good-debt-income-ratio/
- https://www.pgpf.org/the-fiscal-and-economic-challenge/fiscal-and-economic-impact
- https://www.unfcu.org/financial-wellness/50-30-20-rule/
- https://nationaldebtline.org/fact-sheet-library/debt-and-mental-health-ew/
- https://www.fool.com/student-loans/2023/09/02/2-reasons-student-loans-are-so-difficult-to-pay-of/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-powerful-ways-use-debt-build-wealth-mike-sikar
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/10/why-the-national-debt-can-both-help-and-hurt-the-us-economy.html
- https://www.conahec.org/news/case-against-student-loan-cancellation
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-pay-off-15000-in-credit-card-debt/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/payment-loans-debt-mortgages-auto-personal-credit-card-lendingtree/
- https://www.meriwest.com/our-story/blog/living-debt-free-life-pros-and-cons
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/how-long-to-pay-off-20000-credit-card-debt-1000423-2140858500/
- https://gaviti.com/glossary/bad-debt-to-sales-ratio/
- https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/debt/ways-to-get-out-of-debt/
- https://www.debt.org/advice/good-vs-bad/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/american-debt-and-the-mental-health-epidemic/
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/022916/what-502030-budget-rule.asp
- https://www.itsuptous.org/blog/who-does-us-owe-money-to
- https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/why-do-people-stay-in-debt
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/debt-free-by-age-45/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_debt_of_Japan
- https://www.marketwatch.com/picks/bad-luck-finds-us-all-heres-exactly-how-much-you-should-have-in-savings-right-now-and-just-how-few-americans-actually-have-this-amount-socked-away-8171503a
- https://www.thebalancemoney.com/who-owns-the-u-s-national-debt-3306124
- https://www.citizen.org/news/why-do-we-need-student-loan-debt-cancellation-and-other-faqs/
- https://www.investopedia.com/student-loan-debt-2019-statistics-and-outlook-4772007
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debt%20to%20society
- https://www.bis.org/publ/othp16.pdf
- https://www.earnest.com/blog/how-much-student-loan-debt-is-too-much/
- https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2023/03/how-student-loan-forgiveness-could-affect-the-economy.html
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/student-loans/borrowers-face-stress-regrets-as-forbearance-ends/
- https://www.ngpf.org/blog/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-how-many-americans-have-over-1000000-in-student-debt/
- https://www.incharge.org/debt-relief/how-much-debt-is-too-much/
- https://www.clearoneadvantage.com/blog/5-ways-debt-affects-your-life
- https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/states-with-most-credit-card-debt/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/paying-off-too-much-debt/
- https://www.citizensbank.com/learning/how-much-debt-is-too-much.aspx
- https://blog.massmutual.com/planning/college-student-debt-worth
- https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/good-question-how-did-the-u-s-debt-get-so-high/
- https://www.debt.org/advice/emotional-effects/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/what-percentage-of-america-is-debt-free-2140664784/
- https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/american-opinions-on-personal-finances-and-us-economy-since-2020-election/
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/021215/what-good-debt-ratio-and-what-bad-debt-ratio.asp
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/what-is-the-28-36-rule-for-buying-a-home/
- https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0710/5-ways-debt-can-make-you-money.aspx
- https://homework.study.com/explanation/what-would-happen-if-everyone-stopped-getting-in-debt-and-paid-off-all-their-credit-cards-if-people-saved-for-everything-and-only-spent-what-they-earned.html
- https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-04-25/high-college-tuition-is-pushing-students-from-uc-to-community-colleges
- https://www.wellsfargo.com/goals-credit/smarter-credit/credit-101/debt-to-income-ratio/understanding-dti/
- https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/stop-living-paycheck-to-paycheck
- https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/12/what-is-global-debt-why-high/
- https://www.pgpf.org/top-10-reasons-why-the-national-debt-matters
- https://typeset.io/questions/effect-of-bad-debt-on-economic-growth-369e4qgsar
- https://www.reuters.com/world/us/what-age-should-kids-become-financially-independent-2023-08-29/
- https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/03/28/the-fiscal-and-financial-risks-of-a-high-debt-slow-growth-world
- https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit-cards/articles/-/learn/impacts-debt-mental-health/
- https://nomoredebts.org/debt-help/dealing-with-creditors/debt-forgiveness-writeoff-letter
- https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aay0214