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Debt Overview

Debt Overview
Aly J. Yale
UpdatedMar 11, 2024
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    6 min read
Key Takeaways:
  • When you borrow money, you create debt.
  • There are many types of debt, including secured debt like a mortgage or unsecured debt like a personal loan.
  • Learn to use debt wisely, and have a plan to pay off your debt.

If you've ever borrowed money, you've taken on debt. Though debt can often be a useful tool in finance, it can also pose a significant hurdle if you take on too much or use it irresponsibly. 

Don’t want to fall into that trap? Use this guide to learn more about the meaning of debt, how it works, when to use it, and how to pay it off when you do.

Debt Definition

What is debt? Essentially, it’s money you borrow from another party. If you take out a mortgage to buy a house, that’s a debt. If you put those Amazon purchases on a credit card, that’s a debt too. If your friend loans you money to pay your rent, that’s also a kind of debt.

By definition, debt is something you are obligated to pay back. The terms of repayment vary depending on the type of debt and the creditor, but you’ll need to repay the borrowed funds nonetheless — and, often, with interest.

That’s the gist of debt’s meaning in layman’s terms. The actual legal debt definition, though, (according to U.S. Code), is “any obligation or alleged obligation of a consumer to pay money arising out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance, or services which are the subject of the transaction are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, whether or not such obligation has been reduced to judgment.”

Types of Debt

The above definition of debt is a broad one. For more insight into debt’s meaning, you need to look at the many types of debt that are out there and some examples of how each one works.

Secured debt 

Secured debt means that your borrowed funds are tied to a piece of collateral — like a car or property. If you fail to repay your debt, the creditor can seize the collateral, sell it off, and use those funds to pay off the loan. 

Generally speaking, qualifying is easier for secured financing because the collateral protects the lender in case of default. Secured loans may also come with lower interest rates and they often allow for longer repayment terms too. Examples of secured debts include car loans and home loans (mortgages, HELOCs, home equity loans, etc.).

Unsecured debt 

Unsecured debts are not attached to any sort of collateral. Because of this, they’re typically harder to get (meaning they require higher credit scores), and they may have smaller borrowing limits and higher interest rates. Examples of unsecured debts include credit cards, student loans, and personal loans.

You could face debt collection efforts if you fail to repay an unsecured debt – “unsecured” does not mean you don’t have to repay the loan. Lenders sue creditors over unsecured accounts all the time. 

Installment debt 

The term “installment” refers to the way you’d repay such a loan – in regular installments until the balance is zero. Installment loans are very simple. The main components are the amount borrowed, interest rate, and term (number of years you have to repay), and those factors determine your monthly payment.  An auto loan that you pay over five years is a good example of an installment loan.

Revolving debt 

Revolving debt is money you continue to borrow and repay at will. Rather than getting a lump sum, as with installment debt, you instead get access to a credit line from which you can withdraw money as needed. Examples of revolving debts include credit cards and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). 

Who Has Debt?

Debt is incredibly common in the U.S. In fact, according to a study by credit bureau Experian, the average American Gen Xer carries nearly $33,000 in revolving and installment debt. If you add in mortgage balances, it jumps to $292,000.

Here’s what debt totals look like for each generation as of 2021:

  • Generation Z: $12,524 (revolving and installment debt), $192,276 (mortgage debt)
  • Millennials: $28,317 (revolving and installment debt), $255,527 (mortgage debt)
  • Generation X: $32,898 (revolving and installment debt), $259,100 (mortgage debt) 
  • Baby Boomers: $24,136 (revolving and installment debt), $198,203 (mortgage debt)
  • Silent Generation: $11,725 (revolving and installment debt), $163,254 (mortgage debt)

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Americans carry nearly $16 trillion in total debt — more than $10 trillion of that in housing debt alone. 

Pros and Cons of Debt

There are both good and bad sides to debt. On the one hand, it can be handy in emergencies. If a sudden expense, medical bill, or repair crops up, debt can be an easy way to cover the costs in the moment.

Debt can also allow you to purchase big-ticket items like cars, houses, and boats — items you likely couldn’t purchase outright with cash. You can then spread those costs out over time. 

Finally, another advantage is that debt — when managed well and paid off on-time — can increase your credit score and open more financial doors down the line. 

Pros

  • Debt can help you cover sudden or emergency expenses.
  • Debt allows you to purchase big-ticket items that wouldn’t otherwise be in reach.
  • Debt can improve your financial options in the future.

The downside, though, is that you’ll usually pay interest to borrow the funds, which makes your credit purchase more inexpensive than a cash purchase. Debts can take a long time to pay off, and they can quickly get out of hand — particularly if you miss a payment.

There are risks, too. If you have secured debt, you might lose property and other assets if you fail to repay the balance. In other cases, you might face debt collection tactics or even need to file for bankruptcy.

Cons

  • It usually comes with interest.
  • You could lose property or face debt collection efforts if you fail to repay it.
  • You could fall into a cycle of debt if it’s not properly managed.

When to Use Debt

In a perfect world, we'd all have enough money to pay for everything upfront and out of pocket. But sadly, that's just not the case for most consumers. Instead, many of us need to borrow funds to achieve our goals — to attend college or buy a house or car, for example.

While owing someone money isn’t ideal, debt can be a useful tool if you borrow with your means and understand the terms and repercussions of the arrangement. 

Before taking on debt, you’ll want to make sure it’s:

  • Necessary: Is the purchase unavoidable or an important goal of yours? Is there no way to pay for it in cash?
  • Affordable: Can you comfortably afford the payments? Is the interest rate low? Will the loan stress your budget?
  • Limited: Will you only use this debt for one purchase? Or might it tempt you to spend beyond your means?

If you have the money to avoid debt, it’s usually smart to do so. Just make sure you won’t drain your emergency fund by making a big-ticket purchase with cash.

Paying Off Debt

If you take on debt, stay on top of your payments and, when possible, put extra cash toward your balances. Windfalls like your tax refund can help here. 

If your debts get out of hand or you’re having trouble making your monthly payments, you have options. You can:

  • Contact your creditors: You may be able to renegotiate your terms, rate, or payment, which might make them more manageable. You may also be able to settle your debt for less than you owe.
  • Talk to a credit counselor: Credit counselors can help you devise a holistic approach to tackling your debts. They can also put you on a debt management plan to streamline repayment.
  • Consolidate your debts: Consolidation rolls your debts into a single loan, making it easier to manage and pay off. It can often reduce your interest rate too.
  • Refinance your debts: If you have debts with higher interest rates, refinancing might help you get a lower rate (and subsequently, a lower payment). This is often a good option with car and mortgage loans. 
  • Reach out to a debt relief company: Debt relief companies can help with all facets of debt payoff. They will also work with your creditors directly and, often, reduce the total amount of debt you owe.
  • File for bankruptcy: In extreme cases, you may want to consider filing for bankruptcy, as it can discharge many of your debts (meaning wipe them clean). Talk to a professional before filing, though. Bankruptcy comes with serious consequences and can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years.

Debt is often a part of life, particularly if you have goals of attending college, buying a home, or owning a car. If you have to take on debt, make sure you’re clear on the terms of the loan, as well as how it will impact your budget and long-term financials before moving forward. You should also consider talking to a financial advisor or credit counselor too. They can help you make the best decision for your finances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is debt always bad?

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No, some kinds of debt are considered “good debt.” That’s because they help you accomplish financial goals. For instance, most people have to borrow money to buy their homes. If you had to save the entire purchase price, you might never buy a home – and according to the Harvard Center for Joint Housing Studies, home equity is the top source of wealth for families with moderate or low incomes. You might also take on “good debt” to start a business or get a degree that helps you earn more money.

What is “bad debt?” Bad debt is borrowing with long-term loans for short-term benefits. For example, taking on a five-year loan to finance a two-week vacation.

What determines my payment on a debt?

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There are three components to a loan payment – the amount you borrow, the interest rate you pay, and the term (length) of your loan. 

The longer your term, the lower your payment. However, taking longer to pay off your debt costs you more interest over the life of your loan. 

Does consolidating debt make it go away?

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No. Debt consolidation just means taking out a new loan to pay off several other loans. Usually, the new loan has a lower interest rate. That can help you pay off the debt faster. But when you consolidate debt, you are just restructuring it. You still owe the same amount. 

Debt statistics

Debt is used to buy a home, pay for bills, buy a car, or pay for a college education. According to the NY Federal Reserve total household debt as of Q4 2023 was $17.503 trillion. Auto loan debt was $1.607 trillion and credit card was $1.129 trillion.

According to data gathered by Urban.org from a sample of credit reports, about 26% of people in the US have some kind of debt in collections. The median debt in collections is $1,739. Student loans and auto loans are common types of debt. Of people holding student debt, approximately 8% had student loans in collections. The national Auto/Retail debt delinquency rate was 4%.

Collection and delinquency rates vary by state. For example, in New York, 16% have student loan debt. Of those holding student loan debt, 7% are in default. Auto/retail loan delinquency rate is 3%.

To maintain an excellent credit score it is vital to make timely payments. However, there are many circumstances that lead to late payments or debt in collections. The good news is that there are a lot of ways to deal with debt including debt consolidation and debt relief solutions.

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10 Comments

MMaria T Villanueva, Apr, 2020

I need to identify an account under Maria T Villanueva name.

DDaniel Cohen, Apr, 2020

Maria, what firm are you trying to reach?

LLisa, Jan, 2014
I have over $75K in credit cards, signature loans, and medical bills. I am drowning and every month I am on time, but I literally "borrow Peter to pay Paul". Every month I'm in a deficit. I have 6 mortgage loans (I live in one, rent out 3, one is vacant in need of fixing, and one has a 2nd mortgage). I have tried without success to refinance my mortgages but I never seem to qualify because everyone tells me it's because I have more than 4 mortgages. I am 49 and married and my husband and I each have separate properties (quit claims were signed to keep things separate). He and I have never co-mingled our money or accounts. I have some equity in 2 or 3 of my homes, but no one will give me a loan, which is why I was forced to get signature loans to help relieve debt, only to find myself still "bleeding" every month. My car is paid off. I have no other assets of monetary value. I already took out a loan on my 401K too. Any suggestions?
BBill, Jan, 2014
Lisa, here are a couple of suggestions: 1. Sell a couple of properties that have equity in them, so you can then refinance the ones that remain. Of course, if you feel that the properties will increase in value, then you may want to wait to sell. 2. Look into a credit counseling program, to see if it will lower rates on your credit cards and maybe also lower the monthly payment.
llydia, Mar, 2013
I have 3 credit cards that add up to about $9,000 all together (not including student loans, which are about $14,000). I want to pay off all of my credit card debt at most in a year, but the interest on the credit cards are ridiculous. Even when I'm doing my monthly payments, it doesn't do much. I've tried to transfer my balances to a promotion card where they don't charge interest on any balance transfers for 12 or so months, but my credit score was too low (670) that I was not approved for it. What are my other options? I know that i can definitely pay off my credit card debts within a year if i didn't have such high interest rates on them. Any suggestions?
BBill, Mar, 2013
I recommend that you look into credit counseling as a solution. Whether credit counseling can lower your interest rates enough for you to meet your one-year payoff goal, I don't know. Regardless, it should speed up your time to becoming debt free, if your creditors are willing to participate.
RRoberta, Jan, 2013
I have searched your site for a possible connection with my question but did not find one. My father passed away three months ago. Since then, my mother has been having financial difficulties. She paid off most of their open accounts but there is still about three outstanding accounts that she is not able to pay with her monthly income, which is social security and dad's pension. Mom has contacted the credit card companies and they will not work with her. Their home is paid for and she has two vehicles, one of which belonged to my father and mom can't bring herself to sell it at this point. That's all she owns. She basically lives month-to-month on the social security and pension income. My question is, can the banks/credit card companies get a judgment against her and take her vehicles? She lives in Michigan. I know there's a chance that they might be able to put a lien on her home, but she has no intention of selling or refinancing at this point, she is 73 years old. What would you suggest? Thank you in advance for your help.
BBill, Jan, 2013
Can a creditor file an action against your mother and obtain a judgment? Yes, assuming the creditor has a right to do so and follows Michigan's civil procedure rules. The real question you should ask is, "Can a judgment creditor perfect the judgment and collect?"

Some debtor property is exempt from judgment-creditor actions. Under Michigan law, a debtor can use an exemption of $3,250 for vehicles, and $52,950 for a homestead if the homeowner is elderly or disabled. Also, under federal law, Social Security benefits are exempt from judgment-creditor garnishment. It is safe to assume the pension is exempt also.

If one of the vehicles you mentioned has a Blue Book value of $3,250 or less, the judgment-creditor cannot use a writ of replevin or similar legal action to seize the vehicle. The judgment-creditor can place a lien on the property, but if one does so that is not a concern until your mother sells the property. When she sells the property, she can use part of the sale proceeds to pay-off the lienholder.

What to do? I have an incomplete view into your mother's finances including the amount owed each creditor, so the smartest course of action would be for you to make an appointment for your mother with a bankruptcy lawyer. She needs to discuss her situation in detail with someone who can ask probing questions, and explain her options. I am not suggesting bankruptcy is the right answer here, but a Michigan bankruptcy lawyer will share more detail than I have in these four short paragraphs.