Is $5000 a lot of credit card debt?
$5,000 in credit card debt can be quite costly in the long run. That's especially the case if you only make minimum payments each month. However, you don't have to accept decades of credit card debt. There are a few things you can do to pay your debt off faster - potentially saving thousands of dollars in the process.
The general rule of thumb is that you shouldn't spend more than 10 percent of your take-home income on credit card debt.
On an individual level, the overall average balance is around $6,501, per Experian's data. Other generations' credit card debt falls closer to that average or below. Here's the average amount of credit card debt Americans hold by age as of the third quarter of 2023, according to Experian.
To pay off $4,000 in credit card debt within 36 months, you will need to pay $145 per month, assuming an APR of 18%. You would incur $1,215 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.
Apply the percentage to your current credit card balance and then add your fees and past-due amounts. First, you'll owe 2% on the balance of $5,000, then you'll add $120 past due and $80 in late fees. That would make your minimum payment $300.
One in five (22%) have at least $10,000 to $20,000 worth of credit card debt. Of those, just over 5% have more than $30,000.
In order to pay off $7,000 in credit card debt within 36 months, you need to pay $254 per month, assuming an APR of 18%. While you would incur $2,127 in interest charges during that time, you could avoid much of this extra cost and pay off your debt faster by using a 0% APR balance transfer credit card.
Running up $50,000 in credit card debt is not impossible. About two million Americans do it every year.
What percentage of America is debt-free? According to that same Experian study, less than 25% of American households are debt-free. This figure may be small for a variety of reasons, particularly because of the high number of home mortgages and auto loans many Americans have.
The average debt an American owes is $104,215 across mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, auto loans, credit card debt, student loan debt, and other debts like personal loans. Data from Experian breaks down the average debt a consumer holds based on type, age, credit score, and state.
How long to pay off $5,000 credit card with minimum payment?
Making only the minimum payment is expensive
If you owed $5,000 on your credit card at the average interest rate of 21.19% (as of August 2023), and you made a minimum payment of 2% of your card's balance, it would take you 878 months (more than 73 years) to pay off your debt.
Debt avalanche: Make minimum payments on all but your credit card with the highest interest rate. Send all excess payments to that card account. Once you pay that account off, send all excess payments to your next highest rate. Repeat until all of your debts are paid off.
Credit card refinancing can help you pay off $5,000 in credit card debt much faster because a personal loan comes with a predetermined end date. Debt consolidation loans allow you to combine multiple debts into one loan. Some lenders will even send your loan funds directly to your former creditors.
To pay off $5,000 in credit card debt within 36 months, you will need to pay $181 per month, assuming an APR of 18%. You would incur $1,519 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.
Based on the OneMain personal loan calculator, a $5,000 loan with a 25% APR and a 60-month term length would be $147 per month. The loan terms you receive will depend on your credit profile, including credit history, income, debts and if you secure it with collateral like a car or truck.
It will take 21 months to pay off $7,000 with payments of $400 per month, assuming the average credit card APR of around 18%. The time it takes to repay a balance depends on how often you make payments, how big your payments are and what the interest rate charged by the lender is.
Total household debt grew by $212 billion, rising to $17.5 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2023, the Fed's quarterly report on household debt and credit shows. Credit card balances rose by $50 billion to hit a record $1.13 trillion.
Although inflation has moderated since it peaked in June 2022, Americans—particularly lower-income families—are relying more on credit cards to cope with the sticker shock. “They used credit card debt to supplement their incomes to maintain their purchasing power,” says Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics.
Average credit card debt
How much credit card debt does the average American have? The average balance is $6,501 as of the third quarter of 2023, according to Experian. That's a 10% increase from 2022 and the first time average credit card debt has exceeded $6,000 since 2019.
Pay off your debt and save on interest by paying more than the minimum every month. The key is to make extra payments consistently so you can pay off your loan more quickly. Some lenders allow you to make an extra payment each month specifying that each extra payment goes toward the principal.
What are 3 ways to pay off credit card debt fast?
- Using a balance transfer credit card. ...
- Consolidating debt with a personal loan. ...
- Borrowing money from family or friends. ...
- Paying off high-interest debt first. ...
- Paying off the smallest balance first. ...
- Bottom line.
The only way credit card companies are likely to forgive the full amount of your balances is if you file bankruptcy. However, there are other ways to get out of debt in a reasonable amount of time. For example, you may be able to have a portion of your credit card balances forgiven with a debt settlement program.
The minimum payment mindset
Here's how most people get trapped in credit card debt: You use your card for a purchase you can't afford or want to defer payment, and then you make only the minimum payment that month. Soon, you are in the habit of using your card to purchase things beyond your budget.
"Debt fatigue is basically along the lines of feeling depressed and downtrodden by chronic financial difficulties," says Brad Klontz, a clinical psychologist and certified financial planner.
What's considered too much debt is relative and varies by person based on the financial situation. There's no specific definition of “a lot of debt” — $10,000 might be a high amount of debt to one person, for example, but a very manageable debt for someone else.
References
- https://www.bajajfinserv.in/the-advantages-of-debt-financing-for-your-business
- https://www.debtfreedr.com/10-things-millionaires-do-not-spend-money-on/
- https://www.wellsfargo.com/goals-credit/smarter-credit/manage-your-debt/pay-off-debt-faster/
- https://www.debtsafe.co.za/faqs/disadvantages-of-debt-review/
- https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/should-we-invest-in-debt-funds-or-gold-to-allay-the-recession-effect-financial-analysts-explain-151677158564747.html
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/what-is-the-minimum-payment-on-a-5000-credit-card-balance-1000419-2140767655/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/6-financial-pitfalls-rich-people-141839541.html
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/average-checking-account-balance/
- https://www.pgpf.org/top-10-reasons-why-the-national-debt-matters
- https://www.vox.com/money/2024/3/13/24086102/billionaires-wealthy-tax-avoidance-loopholes
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/042215/what-are-benefits-company-using-equity-financing-vs-debt-financing.asp
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/robert-kiyosaki-debt-doesn-t-120008343.html
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-powerful-ways-use-debt-build-wealth-mike-sikar
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/credit-card-debt-how-to-pay-it-off-cbs-news-explains/
- https://robbreport.com/shelter/spaces/rich-americans-leave-curtains-open-1235497395/
- https://quizlet.com/290523239/short-answer-s-exam-3-flash-cards/
- https://cleartax.in/s/best-debt-funds
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/80-americans-still-struggling-financially-150031294.html
- https://www.lendingtree.com/debt-consolidation/credit-card/fastest-way-to-pay-off-5000-debt/
- https://www.marketplace.org/2023/01/16/how-the-worlds-richest-people-became-much-richer-during-the-pandemic/
- https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-value-of-debt-in-building-wealth-en
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-much-credit-card-debt-is-too-much/
- https://www.bt.com.au/personal/your-finances/manage-personal-finance/how-debt-could-help-you-build-long-term-wealth.html
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/paying-off-too-much-debt/
- https://www.usbank.com/financialiq/manage-your-household/manage-debt/good-debt-using-debt-to-build-wealth.html
- https://fortune.com/2024/02/01/emergency-1000-expense-most-americans-broke-debt-bankrate/
- https://www.debt.com/research/credit-card-survey/
- https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/pay-down-debt-vs-invest
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/long-term-effects-of-debt/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/income-level-considered-rich-140003986.html
- https://hopecu.org/understandingcreditcards/
- https://www.debt.org/advice/good-vs-bad/
- https://www.thestar.com/business/personal-finance/the-simple-secrets-of-quiet-millionaires-mayers/article_f999e0da-7445-5d5e-a514-c06bd57b6f42.html
- https://endeavorwa.com/3-steps-to-successfully-build-wealth/
- https://homework.study.com/explanation/what-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-long-term-debt-financing.html
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/equity-debt-financing
- https://www.onemainfinancial.com/resources/loan-basics/5000-personal-loan
- https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/advice/how-credit-card-minimum-payments-are-calculated/
- https://www.etmoney.com/learn/mutual-funds/how-to-choose-the-right-debt-fund-for-your-portfolio/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_benefits_of_debt
- https://gtdebtsolutions.com/2023/06/14/how-much-debt-is-normal-for-your-age/
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jerome-kerviel-most-debt-in-the-world_n_2077219
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/12/good-debt-bad-debt.asp
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/this-is-the-average-age-most-americans-become-mortgage-free
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/24/how-much-money-americans-have-in-savings.html
- https://www.debt.org/advice/debt-free-living/
- https://groww.in/mutual-funds/debt-funds
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/is-having-no-debt-bad-for-credit-score/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/robert-kiyosaki-learn-rich-000012722.html
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/good-debt-vs-bad-debt/
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/4-borrowing-rules-rich-people-follow-but-others-often-dont
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/how-to-pay-off-4000-in-credit-card-debt-1000294-2140754590/
- https://www.findlaw.com/smallbusiness/business-finances/debt-vs-equity-advantages-and-disadvantages.html
- https://www.steadily.com/blog/brrrr-method
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/5-ways-to-pay-off-5000-in-credit-card-debt/
- https://moneymentors.ca/money-tips/how-to-live-a-debt-free-life/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/where-millionaires-keep-money-070638027.html
- https://www.moneygeek.com/personal-loans/types-to-avoid/
- https://time.com/6957322/why-credit-card-debt-is-high/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/debt-vs-equity-weighing-risks-rewards-magdalena-francisczok-52hsf
- https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/7-characteristics-of-debt-free-people
- https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/good-question-how-did-the-u-s-debt-get-so-high/
- https://dfpi.ca.gov/2024/03/19/five-steps-to-building-generational-wealth/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tax-tricks-loopholes-only-rich-210001853.html
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-like-debt-free-debt-com
- https://www.innovationcu.ca/personal/advice-tools/blog/2023/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-short-term-loan.html
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/articles/how-much-would-a-5000-credit-card-balance-cost-if-you-only-paid-the-minimum/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/average-american-debt
- https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/banking/savings/should-i-save-money-or-pay-off-debt-first/
- https://www.bfadvisors.com/why-millionaires-continue-to-work/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/do-credit-card-companies-forgive-high-balances/
- https://www.legit.ng/ask-legit/top/1134985-top-poorest-people-world/
- https://carofin.com/knowledge-base/company/why-do-companies-use-debt-financing/
- https://www.news18.com/business/meet-jerome-kerviel-the-worlds-poorest-man-with-a-huge-debt-in-his-journal-8036959.html
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/27/how-much-credit-card-debt-americans-have-by-age-.html
- https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/debt/pros-and-cons-of-debt-consolidation/
- https://themillionaireinsider.com/building-wealth-your-7-step-plan/
- https://equifund.com/blog/how-to-use-debt-to-build-wealth/
- https://money.com/what-is-long-term-debt/
- https://www.ucop.edu/loan-programs/resources/loan-terminology-glossary.html
- https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/books/features/10-money-lessons-to-learn-from-rich-dad-poor-dad-by-robert-kiyosaki-article-107350793
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/debt-buyer.asp
- https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0710/5-ways-debt-can-make-you-money.aspx
- https://www.facebook.com/RobertKiyosaki/posts/there-are-4-kinds-of-people-those-who-always-have-to-be-right-those-who-have-to-/10150419764681788/
- https://outofyourrut.com/10-reasons-why-people-cannot-get-out-of-debt/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-ways-rich-people-make-money-debt-habeeb-mahmood
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/americans-savings-stack-2023-vs-140023973.html
- https://www.bbvaspark.com/contenido/en/news/long-term-debt/
- https://fmtrust.bank/money-moves-article/is-short-term-or-long-term-financing-best-for-your-business/
- https://www.sacbee.com/finance/article272836150.html
- https://study.com/academy/lesson/three-cs-of-credit-character-capital-capacity.html
- https://www.firstrepublic.com/insights-education/average-american-debt
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/advantages-disadvantages-each-type-debt-financing-fastercapital
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rich-dad-robert-kiyosaki-shares-120036031.html
- https://www.incharge.org/debt-relief/debt-management/how-to-pay-off-50000-credit-card-debt-strategies-advice/
- https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/11/meet-the-most-indebted-man-in-the-world/264413/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/growing-poor-could-rich-172113386.html
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/how-long-to-pay-off-7000-credit-card-1000423-2140858495/
- https://www.wellsfargo.com/goals-credit/smarter-credit/credit-101/debt-to-income-ratio/understanding-dti/
- https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/robert-kiyosaki-quotes
- https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/strategy/business-financing/debt-financing
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/022916/what-502030-budget-rule.asp
- https://newsilver.com/the-lender/robert-kiyosaki-bankruptcies/
- https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/moneybasics/staying-out-of-debt/1/
- https://www.ramseysolutions.com/retirement/how-to-build-wealth
- https://fastercapital.com/content/Smart-Ways-to-Use-Debt-Financing-To-Grow-Your-Business.html
- https://www.caba.org.uk/financial/debt-advice/signs-of-debt.html
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pros-cons-debt-careerscale
- https://smartasset.com/retirement/bccrr-older-americans-more-debt-than-30-years-ago
- https://www.moneylion.com/learn/how-to-leverage-debt/
- https://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-disadvantages-borrowing-money-bank-61049.html
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/how-to-pay-off-7000-in-credit-card-debt-1000294-2140754711/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/how-to-pay-off-credit-card-debt/
- https://www.creditkarma.com/credit-cards/i/loan-pay-off-credit-card-debt
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/average-american-debt-by-age/
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/credit-card-debt-statistics/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/living-paycheck-to-paycheck-statistics-2024/
- https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money/how-to-get-out-of-debt
- https://www.credithuman.com/building-slack/the-dangers-of-short-term-financing
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/credit-card-debt-record-high/
- https://www.caminofinancial.com/en/blog/business-managment/psychology-of-being-debt-free/
- https://moneycoachescanada.ca/articles/5%20ways%20to%20combat%20debt%20fatigue.pdf
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/commercial-lending/debt-financing/
- https://www.clearfinances.net/countries-without-public-debt/
- https://quizlet.com/127579998/mgt-241-midterm-ch-8-flash-cards/
- https://www.sacbee.com/finance/article272836735.html
- https://www.etmoney.com/mutual-funds/debt
- https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/04/08/fast-growing-USD2-trillion-private-credit-market-warrants-closer-watch
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/debtfinancing.asp
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/debt-free-by-age-45/