What Is The Average Monthly Debt?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Americans pay

$1,233

toward debt each month, on average.

How much debt does the average person have?

While the average American has

$90,460

in debt, this includes all types of consumer debt products, from credit cards to personal loans, mortgages and student debt.

How much monthly debt should I have?

A good rule-of-thumb to calculate a reasonable debt load is the 28/36 rule. According to this rule, households should spend

no more than 28% of their gross income on home-related expenses

. This includes mortgage payments, homeowners insurance, property taxes, and condo/POA fees.

What is the average monthly debt for Americans?

The average American debt totals

$52,940

. That includes mortgages, home equity, auto, student, and personal loans, plus credit card debt. Debt peaks between ages 40 and 49, and the average amount varies widely across the country.

How much monthly debt is too much?

A rule that lenders and others widely use is that your total monthly debt obligation should

not exceed 36% of your gross monthly income

.

What age should you be debt free?

“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. “Most careers start in early 20s and end in the mid-60s,” O’Leary said in the 2018 interview with CNBC Make It.

How much debt is OK?

Most lenders say a

DTI of 36% is acceptable

, but they want to loan you money so they’re willing to cut some slack. Many financial advisors say a DTI higher than 35% means you are carrying too much debt.

Is debt ever good?

But with smart money management and sound decisions, debt can be a good thing. Good debt is

debt that’s used to pay for something that has long-term value

and increases your net worth (such as a home) or helps you generate income (such as a smart investment).

How much credit card debt is normal?

On average, Americans carry

$6,194

in credit card debt, according to the 2019 Experian Consumer Credit Review. And Alaskans have the highest credit card balance, on average $8,026.

Is having debt bad?


Too much debt

can turn good debt into bad debt.

You can borrow too much for important goals like college, a home, or a car. Too much debt, even if it is at a low interest rate, can become bad debt. Carrying debt without a good plan to pay it off can lead to an unsustainable lifestyle.

What is the average credit card debt in an American household?

The average credit card debt of U.S. families is

$6,270

, according to the most recent data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances.

What is it like to be debt free?

In short, when you become debt free, you

will experience freedom and relief in your financial life

. You will know what it’s like to make money and keep it. You will build savings with ease, and accomplish financial goals quicker than ever.

How much does the average American have in savings?

American households had an average bank account

balance of $41,600 in

2019, according to data from the Federal Reserve. The median bank account balance is $5,300 according to the same data. Bank account balances in this analysis include checking, savings, and money market accounts held by American households.

How can I get out of debt without paying?


Ask for a raise at work

or move to a higher-paying job, if you can. Get a side-hustle. Start to sell valuable things, like furniture or expensive jewelry, to cover the outstanding debt. Ask for assistance: Contact your lenders and creditors and ask about lowering your monthly payment, interest rate or both.

How can I pay off my debt when broke?

  1. Create a Budget.
  2. Broke or Overspent?
  3. Put Together a Plan.
  4. Stop Creating Debt.
  5. Look for Ways to Cut Your Expenses.
  6. Increase Your Income.
  7. Ask for a Lower Interest Rate.
  8. Pay on Time and Avoid Fees.

What is the 28 36 mortgage rule?

A Critical Number For Homebuyers

One way to decide how much of your income should go toward your mortgage is to use the 28/36 rule. According to this rule, your

mortgage payment shouldn’t be more than 28% of your monthly pre-tax income and 36% of your total debt

. This is also known as the debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.

Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.