What's debt free?
You can use the purist definition, whereby debt-free means you have no debt at all—from credit cards, loans or other creditors. As a result, you don't rely on credit cards or other forms of credit for everyday spending.
Whatever it is you want, becoming debt-free means you now have less financial obligations and more options than ever. Without all your old bills hanging over your head, you can build the life you want instead of the life you had.
True Financial Freedom
Imagine having complete autonomy over every dollar earned. That's the power of being debt-free. Without the shackles of interest rates or recurring debt payments, individuals enjoy greater cash flow and the liberty to allocate their money as they see fit.
In many ways, being debt-free is increasingly being regarded as the new rich. This doesn't necessarily mean having immense wealth in the traditional sense, but rather enjoying financial freedom and the peace of mind that comes with it.
by Jim Moses, CIRP, LIT. August 2, 2023. In theory, it is possible to be debt-free. Being debt-free means that you do not owe any money to lenders or creditors, so you have no monthly payments or interest charges to pay off.
“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.
It's possible that you could see your credit scores drop after fulfilling your payment obligations on a loan or credit card debt. Paying off debt might lower your credit scores if removing the debt affects certain factors like your credit mix, the length of your credit history or your credit utilization ratio.
It's often a better idea to pay off debt before saving extra money. That's because you won't have to pay big interest charges once the debt is gone, and that's likely to add up to more than you'd earn in your savings account.
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.
High-interest loans -- which could include payday loans or unsecured personal loans -- can be considered bad debt, as the high interest payments can be difficult for the borrower to pay back, often putting them in a worse financial situation.
Can a millionaire be in debt?
The paper identifies a cohort of what it calls “wealthy spenders”: borrowers age 65+, who have median total assets of $1 million but are at risk of financial hardship—despite having wealth in the top third of their age group. Among this group, more than a third of whom have second homes, 80% have credit card debt.
That depends on what do you mean by being in debt. The term is usually more connected to people who have a negative net value, Wealthy people, billionaires or not, often have borrowed to finance their assets, but then their net value will still be positive, otherwise they wouldn't be wealthy.
They Do Not Get Into Debt
Debt is the biggest obstacle to building wealth, and millionaires do not get into it. If a millionaire wants something but cannot afford it, they do not go into debt to buy it. Instead, they save their money and pay for it using cash later on.
There are a number of strategies to pay off large amounts of credit card debt. They include personal loans, 0% APR balance transfer cards, debt settlement, bankruptcy, credit counseling and debt management plans. You may be able to use more than one of these options.
Proverbs 22:26 - Do not become guarantors for debts. Matthew 6:12 - Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 18:27, 30, 32, 34 - Forgive because your debts have been forgiven. Luke 7:42-43 - He who is forgiven much (debt) loves much; he who is forgiven little (debt) loves little.
- Get Your Mind Right. ...
- Put Your Credit Cards in a Deep Freeze. ...
- Review Your Credit Report. ...
- List Everything You Owe. ...
- Debt Management Plan. ...
- D-I-Y Debt Snowball/Avalanche. ...
- Debt Consolidation Loans. ...
- Debt Settlement.
Generation | Average total debt (2023) | Average total debt (2022) |
---|---|---|
Gen Z (18-26) | $29,820 | $25,851 |
Millenial (27-42) | $125,047 | $115,784 |
Gen X (43-57) | $157,556 | $154,658 |
Baby Boomer (58-77) | $94,880 | $96,087 |
Average personal loan debt in 2023: $11,925
The average balance per consumer as of December 2023, however, is $11,925, indicating that many people who have one unsecured personal loan have at least one more. That's higher than the level recorded per consumer in December 2022, which was $11,241.
Between the ages of 55 and 64, many Americans start to think about retirement. But among heads of household who have debt and are in this age bracket, average debt levels stand at $145,740. They might have assets in excess of this debt, but they might have negative net worth.
To reach an 800 credit score, you'll want to demonstrate on-time bill payments, have a healthy mix of credit (meaning accounts other than just credit cards), use a small percentage of your available credit, and limit new credit inquiries.
How to raise your credit score 200 points in 30 days?
- Be a Responsible Payer. ...
- Limit your Loan and Credit Card Applications. ...
- Lower your Credit Utilisation Rate. ...
- Raise Dispute for Inaccuracies in your Credit Report. ...
- Do not Close Old Accounts.
Although ranges vary depending on the credit scoring model, generally credit scores from 580 to 669 are considered fair; 670 to 739 are considered good; 740 to 799 are considered very good; and 800 and up are considered excellent.
Those will become part of your budget. 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.
- Tip #1: Don't wait. ...
- Tip #2: Pay close attention to your budget. ...
- Tip #3: Increase your income. ...
- Tip #4: Start an emergency fund – even if it's just pennies. ...
- Tip #5: Be patient.
To pay off $30,000 in credit card debt within 36 months, you will need to pay $1,087 per month, assuming an APR of 18%. You would incur $9,116 in interest charges during that time, but you could avoid much of this extra cost and pay off your debt faster by using a 0% APR balance transfer credit card.
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