Did you know not all debt is created equal? Some types of debt can be helpful, while others can be harmful to your financial well-being. Understand which debt is right to help you achieve your financial goals!
First, let’s define debt.
Debt is money that you borrow and agree to pay back with interest over a set period of time. This can include credit card balances, personal loans, car loans, and mortgages.
Good Debt
Good debt is debt that helps you achieve your long-term financial goals. This type of debt is typically used to finance an asset that will appreciate in value or generate income, such as a home or a business. Think of this debt as useful or productive!
Examples of good debt include:
- Mortgage debt: A mortgage allows you to buy a home, which can appreciate in value over time and provide a source of long-term wealth.
- Student loan debt: Student loans can help you obtain a higher education, which can increase your earning potential and improve your career prospects.
- Business debt: Taking on debt to start or grow a business can lead to elevated income and financial security in the long run.
Bad Debt
Bad debt, on the other hand, is debt that does not contribute to your long-term financial goals and can be difficult to pay off.
Examples of bad debt include:
- Credit card debt: Credit card debt can accumulate quickly, and high interest rates can make this kind of debt difficult to pay off. It’s often used for excessive consumption, such as vacations or shopping.
- Car loan debt: While a car may be a necessary expense, taking on a high car loan payment can limit your ability to save for other financial goals. A high monthly payment can destabilize your other, recurring financial obligations.
- Payday loans: These short term loans come with extremely high interest rates and are designed to trap borrowers in a cycle of debt. These are not loans to tango with!
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Use Debt To Your Advantage
Yes, we did say you can use debt to your advantage. The key is to be strategic about the debt you commit to and to make sure that it aligns with your long-term financial goals.
Our top tips:
- Create a budget: Before taking on any debt, create a budget to outline how much you can afford to borrow and pay back each month.
- Consider interest rates: Always compare interest rates when shopping for loans, as lower interest rates are key for saving you money in the long term.
- Make payments on time: Late payments can hurt your credit score and make it more difficult to obtain credit in the future. Pay on time to save a dime!
- Avoid unnecessary debt: Only take on debt that is necessary to achieve your financial goals, and avoid unnecessary spending.
Understanding the difference between good and bad debt is crucial as you look at your financial health. The cycle of debt can be largely avoided by replacing bad debt with alternatives like our short-term loan service, CashPlease, and leaning on good debt investment which helps you build your preferred tomorrow.
Remember, good debt can be a valuable tool for building wealth, while bad debt can be a burden that limits your financial potential. Control debt instead of allowing it to control you!