|
Debt Consolidation Statistics
-
The average American household has 13
payment cards, including credit cards, debt cards and store cards. There
are 1.3 billion payment cards in circulation in the United States.
-
Americans made $1.1 Trillion worth of
credit card purchases in 1999.
-
Americans carry, on average, $5,800 in
credit card debt from month to month. If one were to make only the
minimum payment on that debt every month, it would take 30 years to pay
off - and include an additional $15,000 in interest.
-
According to the American Bankruptcy
Institute, 302,829 people file for bankruptcy in the first quarter of
2000.
-
On average the typical credit card
purchase is 112% higher than if using cash.
Over 40% of US families spend more than they earn. (Federal Reserve).
-
96% of all Americans will retire
financially dependent on the government, family, or charity. (U.S. Dept.
of Health & Human Services)
-
Almost one out of every 100 households in
the United States will file for bankruptcy.
[compiled from www.cardweb.com]
-
A 1992 Federal Reserve study showed that
43% of U.S. families spent more than they earned.
-
According to the National Association of
Realtors the average homeowner stays in their home for 7.1 years (1993
statistic). With an 8% mortgage, they will sell their home still owing
over 90% on their mortgage. If they were to continue this trend they
would NEVER pay off a mortgage in their lifetime!
-
Only 2% of homes in America are paid for!
-
On average, Americans can expect to
receive just 37% of the annual retirement income they will need to live
comfortably. [America's Retirement Crisis: The Search For Solutions-
Openheimer Funds Dist., Inc. 1993]
-
As of 1995 92% of U.S. family disposable
income is spent on paying debts, up from 65% in 1975. [Federal Reserve]
-
For the year ending June 30, 1996,
personal bankruptcies totaled more than ONE MILLION for the first time
ever in a twelve month period. That is almost one bankruptcy for every
100 U.S. households.
-
On average, you will spend 112% more on a
credit card purchase than when using cash.
-
The average household has four credit
cards with balances around $4,800, up from two cards and $2340 in
balances five years ago. [RAM Research, 1996]
-
Making the minimum payment on a $4,800
balance (average balance of U.S. cardholders) at the average annual 17%
interest rate, it would take you 39 years and seven months to pay off.
You would pay $10,818.63 in interest alone, and a total of $15,619 for
the privilege of charging the $4,800!
-
Nearly half of all Americans (46%) have
less than $10,000 saved for their retirement. And 39% of Americans are
anxious about their ability to achieve their desired retirement
lifestyle. [Miles To Go: A Status Report on Americans' Plans for
Retirement-Public Agenda, 1997] It can either be the golden years or the
golden arches.
-
An $8,000 debt at a rate of 18% interest
will take you over 25 years to repay and cost you over $24,000 in the
long run.
|
