Credit Card Debt Is At Record levels
A recent study done by the credit bureau, Experian, shows U.S. consumers are relying on their credit cards more than ever. According to their latest National Score Index, compiled from a random sampling of 3 million consumers in the credit bureau's database, 51 percent of the U.S. population has at least two credit cards and 14 percent have 10 or more cards.
The results "tend to suggest, on average, people in the last couple of years are accumulating more debt and are utilizing credit cards more than in the past," said Pete Bolin, manager of analytics for Experian. The study also shows that consumers are using their credit cards as an "overall financial vehicle" rather than just an emergency tool, he said.
Dave Capra “The Debtonator” says the Experian study seems pretty accurate. "The people that I interview average eight cards," Capra said. “People seem to be using their available credit to help with their everyday cost of living and are even using one card to pay down others. Credit card debt is quickly becoming a modern day epidemic, threatening our society.” The study also shows that people aren't saving, Capra said. “Saving is what you have to do so you don't turn to your credit cards.”
The Debtonator is a weekly radio show that is returning to Chicago airways in April whose prime focus is Credit and Debt Education. Capra is petitioning Illinois legislators to include courses in debt management and credit cards as required curriculum for graduating high school students and is of the opinion that children as young as grammar school age need to be taught about finances. He is planning to walk his petition 184 miles, from Chicago to Springfield this coming fall and has made it his cause to change financial illiteracy among future credit card holders.
Credit cards can be a very useful tool if you use them responsibly. IF you pay off your balance in full each month. Credit cards can also be used for emergency purposes that can cover a temporary financial shortfall. But make sure you pay off the balance as quickly as possible to avoid escalating interest charges. Using credit cards in a disciplined fashion is the key.
According to the Federal Reserve, U.S. credit-card debt totaled $876.2 billion as of December2006. The figures show that the consumer debt burden continues to grow, and credit cards represent a lot of that additional debt. Credit card debt represents a very high cost debt for many households. Interest rates are in the double digits with fees and punitive interest rates lurking should you slip up. Consumers need to be as disciplined about using their credit cards and paying their bills on time as they are with their mortgages or car payments. If you miss a payment or two on your credit card, exceed your limit or even miss a payment with another creditor, your interest rate can climb as high as 27 or 28 percent, or even higher.
Bolin, with Experian, says that to keep your credit history healthy, you need to pay your bills on time, try to keep your debt to income ratio as low as possible and apply for credit only when you need it.
Dave Capra is author of “Your Guide to Perfect Credit” and his radio show “The Debtonator” can be heard in Chicago on WJJG-AM 1530 every Saturday starting in mid April.
The results "tend to suggest, on average, people in the last couple of years are accumulating more debt and are utilizing credit cards more than in the past," said Pete Bolin, manager of analytics for Experian. The study also shows that consumers are using their credit cards as an "overall financial vehicle" rather than just an emergency tool, he said.
Dave Capra “The Debtonator” says the Experian study seems pretty accurate. "The people that I interview average eight cards," Capra said. “People seem to be using their available credit to help with their everyday cost of living and are even using one card to pay down others. Credit card debt is quickly becoming a modern day epidemic, threatening our society.” The study also shows that people aren't saving, Capra said. “Saving is what you have to do so you don't turn to your credit cards.”
The Debtonator is a weekly radio show that is returning to Chicago airways in April whose prime focus is Credit and Debt Education. Capra is petitioning Illinois legislators to include courses in debt management and credit cards as required curriculum for graduating high school students and is of the opinion that children as young as grammar school age need to be taught about finances. He is planning to walk his petition 184 miles, from Chicago to Springfield this coming fall and has made it his cause to change financial illiteracy among future credit card holders.
Credit cards can be a very useful tool if you use them responsibly. IF you pay off your balance in full each month. Credit cards can also be used for emergency purposes that can cover a temporary financial shortfall. But make sure you pay off the balance as quickly as possible to avoid escalating interest charges. Using credit cards in a disciplined fashion is the key.
According to the Federal Reserve, U.S. credit-card debt totaled $876.2 billion as of December2006. The figures show that the consumer debt burden continues to grow, and credit cards represent a lot of that additional debt. Credit card debt represents a very high cost debt for many households. Interest rates are in the double digits with fees and punitive interest rates lurking should you slip up. Consumers need to be as disciplined about using their credit cards and paying their bills on time as they are with their mortgages or car payments. If you miss a payment or two on your credit card, exceed your limit or even miss a payment with another creditor, your interest rate can climb as high as 27 or 28 percent, or even higher.
Bolin, with Experian, says that to keep your credit history healthy, you need to pay your bills on time, try to keep your debt to income ratio as low as possible and apply for credit only when you need it.
Dave Capra is author of “Your Guide to Perfect Credit” and his radio show “The Debtonator” can be heard in Chicago on WJJG-AM 1530 every Saturday starting in mid April.
A recent study done by the credit bureau, Experian, shows U.S. consumers are relying on their credit cards more than ever. According to their latest National Score Index, compiled from a random sampling of 3 million consumers in the credit bureau's database, 51 percent of the U.S. population has at least two credit cards and 14 percent have 10 or more cards.
The results "tend to suggest, on average, people in the last couple of years are accumulating more debt and are utilizing credit cards more than in the past," said Pete Bolin, manager of analytics for Experian. The study also shows that consumers are using their credit cards as an "overall financial vehicle" rather than just an emergency tool, he said.
Dave Capra “The Debtonator” says the Experian study seems pretty accurate. "The people that I interview average eight cards," Capra said. “People seem to be using their available credit to help with their everyday cost of living and are even using one card to pay down others. Credit card debt is quickly becoming a modern day epidemic, threatening our society.” The study also shows that people aren't saving, Capra said. “Saving is what you have to do so you don't turn to your credit cards.”
The Debtonator is a weekly radio show that is returning to Chicago airways in April whose prime focus is Credit and Debt Education. Capra is petitioning Illinois legislators to include courses in debt management and credit cards as required curriculum for graduating high school students and is of the opinion that children as young as grammar school age need to be taught about finances. He is planning to walk his petition 184 miles, from Chicago to Springfield this coming fall and has made it his cause to change financial illiteracy among future credit card holders.
Credit cards can be a very useful tool if you use them responsibly. IF you pay off your balance in full each month. Credit cards can also be used for emergency purposes that can cover a temporary financial shortfall. But make sure you pay off the balance as quickly as possible to avoid escalating interest charges. Using credit cards in a disciplined fashion is the key.
According to the Federal Reserve, U.S. credit-card debt totaled $876.2 billion as of December2006. The figures show that the consumer debt burden continues to grow, and credit cards represent a lot of that additional debt. Credit card debt represents a very high cost debt for many households. Interest rates are in the double digits with fees and punitive interest rates lurking should you slip up. Consumers need to be as disciplined about using their credit cards and paying their bills on time as they are with their mortgages or car payments. If you miss a payment or two on your credit card, exceed your limit or even miss a payment with another creditor, your interest rate can climb as high as 27 or 28 percent, or even higher.
Bolin, with Experian, says that to keep your credit history healthy, you need to pay your bills on time, try to keep your debt to income ratio as low as possible and apply for credit only when you need it.
Dave Capra is author of “Your Guide to Perfect Credit” and his radio show “The Debtonator” can be heard in Chicago on WJJG-AM 1530 every Saturday starting in mid April.
The results "tend to suggest, on average, people in the last couple of years are accumulating more debt and are utilizing credit cards more than in the past," said Pete Bolin, manager of analytics for Experian. The study also shows that consumers are using their credit cards as an "overall financial vehicle" rather than just an emergency tool, he said.
Dave Capra “The Debtonator” says the Experian study seems pretty accurate. "The people that I interview average eight cards," Capra said. “People seem to be using their available credit to help with their everyday cost of living and are even using one card to pay down others. Credit card debt is quickly becoming a modern day epidemic, threatening our society.” The study also shows that people aren't saving, Capra said. “Saving is what you have to do so you don't turn to your credit cards.”
The Debtonator is a weekly radio show that is returning to Chicago airways in April whose prime focus is Credit and Debt Education. Capra is petitioning Illinois legislators to include courses in debt management and credit cards as required curriculum for graduating high school students and is of the opinion that children as young as grammar school age need to be taught about finances. He is planning to walk his petition 184 miles, from Chicago to Springfield this coming fall and has made it his cause to change financial illiteracy among future credit card holders.
Credit cards can be a very useful tool if you use them responsibly. IF you pay off your balance in full each month. Credit cards can also be used for emergency purposes that can cover a temporary financial shortfall. But make sure you pay off the balance as quickly as possible to avoid escalating interest charges. Using credit cards in a disciplined fashion is the key.
According to the Federal Reserve, U.S. credit-card debt totaled $876.2 billion as of December2006. The figures show that the consumer debt burden continues to grow, and credit cards represent a lot of that additional debt. Credit card debt represents a very high cost debt for many households. Interest rates are in the double digits with fees and punitive interest rates lurking should you slip up. Consumers need to be as disciplined about using their credit cards and paying their bills on time as they are with their mortgages or car payments. If you miss a payment or two on your credit card, exceed your limit or even miss a payment with another creditor, your interest rate can climb as high as 27 or 28 percent, or even higher.
Bolin, with Experian, says that to keep your credit history healthy, you need to pay your bills on time, try to keep your debt to income ratio as low as possible and apply for credit only when you need it.
Dave Capra is author of “Your Guide to Perfect Credit” and his radio show “The Debtonator” can be heard in Chicago on WJJG-AM 1530 every Saturday starting in mid April.
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