Bills Logo

Understanding Debt: The Impact and Options for Consumers

Get rid of your debt faster with debt relief

Choose your debt amount

$25,000
$1,000$100,000

Or speak to a debt consultant  844-731-0836

Anthony Garcia
UpdatedSep 17, 2024
  • clock icon
    2 min read

Understanding Debt: The Impact of Debt and Debt Options for Consumers. Bills.com video featuring Brad Stroh, Bills.com CEO. This video helps consumers evaluate and compare Debt Consolidation and all Debt Relief Options.

Understanding Debt: The impact of debt and debt options for consumers. In this video featuring Bills.com CEO Brad Stroh, we explore the root causes and consequences of debt and how it may alter a consumer’s life. Emotional stress, financial hardships, and budgeting choices are some of the main factors that can lead to large debt amounts. For more information on Debt Consolidation and to review all of your Debt Relief Options.

Video Transcription;

Debt is impacting millions of Americans in ways it never has before. Debt problems are really plaguing our society from the US government all the way down to the individual family. Millions of Americans are really struggling with serious debt problems today.

I typically start with non financial factors. Is it causing you emotional stress or a burden on relationships? Money problems can be the number one cause of divorce and suicide in America. So it’s important that you look at it and feel are there emotional factors that are impacting you. Beyond that some simple things like do you have too much credit card debt? Can you not afford your monthly payments? Are you behind or are you really struggling financially?

If you determine you’ve got a problem the primary option start with just pay your bills but start with the highest interest rate. Pay that card off until you pay off all your credit cards off in order. Then look for a consolidation loan or refinance your mortgage and see if you can lower your rates and your monthly payments. And then if you are really struggling with monthly payment, look at credit counseling which lowers your interest rate and payment or more aggressive forms like debt settlement, where you negotiate your debts or even bankruptcy if you can’t afford anything.

Whenever you look for money help or want to solve a complicated financial decision, you should come to Bills.com. You can ask a question for free and get a great answer. You can use our calculators or tools or tips or resources or just shop around for the best rates, lenders and debt providers and loan products for your needs.

Get rid of your debt faster with debt relief

Get rid of your debt faster with debt relief

Take the first step towards a debt-free life with personalized debt reduction strategies.

Choose your debt amount

$25,000
$1,000$100,000

Or speak to a debt consultant  844-731-0836

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 Q1 2024 was $17.69 trillion. Auto loan debt was $1.62 trillion and credit card was $1.12 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%.

Each state has its rate of delinquency and share of debts in collections. For example, in Rhode Island credit card delinquency rate was 3%, and the median credit card debt was $394.

Avoiding collections isn’t always possible. A sudden loss of employment, death in the family, or sickness can lead to financial hardship. Fortunately, there are many ways to deal with debt including an aggressive payment plan, debt consolidation loan, or a negotiated settlement.

SHOW SOURCE
arrow-down