April Work/Life Line: Coping with Debt - When You're in Over Your Head!

03/22/13

Contributed by Katie Sack

Loans and credit cards are so easily attainable - that now - debt is something that many of Americans have in common. By controlling your personal debt and making it work for you, you can eliminate that “drowning” feeling and begin to feel the stress melt away as you use your debt to reach your financial goals.

CNN Money provides us with some helpful tips and facts about the American Debt Crisis:

Americans are overwhelmed with credit card debt
The average American household with at least one credit card has an average debt of $15,950 (in 2012) and according to citicards.com, the average interest rate runs from the mid to high teens at any given time.
There is good and bad debt
Borrowing for a home or college is good and normal. Just make sure you don’t borrow more than you can pay back, and shop around for the best rates. The bad debt comes when you pay for things that you consume quickly such as food and vacations. There is no faster way to fall into debt than when you cannot afford to pay off your monthly bill in full within a month or two.
Don’t fall into the minimum trap
If you only pay the minimum each month, you’ll barely cover the interest, let alone the principal. You’ll be paying for that shopping spree for years!

For many more tips on controlling your personal debt check out these great resources!

Also come to "The ClearPoint Story," our Work/Life Lunch and Learn on April 19th from 12:00pm-1:00pm in the Peggy Ryan Williams Center, HR Conference Room (GL52). RSVP's are appreciated to benefits@ithaca.edu or 274-8000.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Katie Sack at ksack@ithaca.edu or (607) 274-1208. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.

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