Highlights:
- Some types of debt can be advantageous if managed responsibly
- "Bad debt" can be any debt you're unable to repay
- Learn steps you can take to avoid bad debt
Did you know there actually can be such a thing as good debt? Many people mistakenly think all debt is bad, but there are certain types of debt that can be advantageous when it comes to your credit.
So, what is “good debt"?
Speaking generally, debt that you're able to repay responsibly based on the loan agreement can be "good debt," as a favorable payment history (and showing you can responsibly handle a mix of different types of debt) may be reflected in credit scores. In addition, "good" debt can be a loan used to finance something that will offer a good return on the investment. Examples of good debt may include:
Your mortgage.You borrow money to pay for a home in hopes that by the time your mortgage is paid off, your home will be worth more. In some cases, you can deduct the interest on mortgage debt on your taxes. Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit — which are a type of loan in which a borrower uses his or her home as collateral– may also be considered a form of good debt. The interest payments on these are tax-deductible as long as you use the loan for its intended purpose: to buy, build or renovate the home used as collateral.
Student loans can be another example of “good debt.” Somestudent loans have lower interest rates compared to other loan types, and the interest may also be tax-deductible. You’re financing an education, which can lead to career opportunities and potentially increasing income. However, a student loan becomes a bad debt if the loan is not paid back responsibly or within the terms agreed upon. It can also become burdensome if you have so much student loan debt that it takes years (and more interest payments) to repay.
Auto loans can be good or bad debt. Someauto loans may carry a high interest rate, depending on factors including your credit scores and the type and amount of the loan. However, an auto loan can also be good debt, as owning a car can put you in a better position to get or keep a job, which results in earning potential.
What is “bad debt”?
Simply put, “bad debt” is debt that you are unable to repay. In addition, it couldbe a debt used to finance something that doesn’t provide a return for the investment. Debt could also be considered "bad" when it negatively impacts credit scores -- when you carry a lot of debt or when you're using much of the credit available to you (a high debt to credit ratio).
Credit cards, particularly cards with a high interest rate, are a typical example. If you can’t pay your credit cards in full every month, interest payments can prolong the debt.
High-interest loans -- which could include payday loans or unsecured personal loans -- can be considered bad debt, as the high interest payments can be difficult for the borrower to pay back, often putting them in a worse financial situation.
What to Do to Avoid Bad Debt
If you’re making a purchase that increases your debt,ask yourself how this purchase will benefit you – not just today, but long term. Is the debt you’ll incur going to provide you a lasting benefit, or is it something that will satisfy an immediate desire that you can’t afford?
It’s also a good idea to have a rainy-day or emergency fund for unexpected expenses, so you won’t have to use credit cards to pay them.
Try to keep your debt to credit ratio (the ratio of how much you owe compared to the total amount of credit available to you) as low as possible to avoid being viewed as a risky borrower by lenders. Focus on paying the debt you have and restrict new purchases.
Lastly, it’s always important to pay your bills on time, every time.
FAQs
Debt can be considered “good” if it has the potential to increase your net worth or significantly enhance your life. A student loan may be considered good debt if it helps you on your career track. Bad debt is money borrowed to purchase rapidly depreciating assets or assets for consumption.
Is a car loan good or bad debt? ›
Some auto loans may carry a high interest rate, depending on factors including your credit scores and the type and amount of the loan. However, an auto loan can also be good debt, as owning a car can put you in a better position to get or keep a job, which results in earning potential.
How much debt is considered bad debt? ›
Key takeaways
Debt-to-income ratio is your monthly debt obligations compared to your gross monthly income (before taxes), expressed as a percentage. A good debt-to-income ratio is less than or equal to 36%. Any debt-to-income ratio above 43% is considered to be too much debt.
How do you understand debt and credit? ›
Credit is the loan that your lender provides to you. It is the money you borrow up to the limit the lender sets. That is the maximum amount you can borrow. Debt is the amount you owe and must pay back with interest and all fees.
Why is buying a car considered bad debt? ›
Buying a car might seem like a worthwhile purchase, but auto loans are considered bad debt. A car's value depreciates over time, so it's important to know when to sell or trade in your car.
Why is a car considered bad debt? ›
Buying a car is generally considered bad debt because it is a depreciating asset, meaning its value decreases over time, whereas good debt is used to purchase assets that increase in value, such as real estate.
What are examples of good debt? ›
Examples of good debt are taking out a mortgage, buying things that save you time and money, buying essential items, investing in yourself by borrowing for more education or to consolidate debt. Each may put you in a hole initially, but you'll be better off in the long run for having borrowed the money.
What is an example of a bad debt? ›
Examples of Bad Debt
Using credit cards for things you cannot afford. Auto loans. Borrowing more money than you can afford to pay. Student loans for a degree that won't help you earn more money.
How can buying a house be considered good debt? ›
Mortgages are seen as “good debt” by creditors. Since the mortgage debt is secured by the value of your house, lenders see your ability to maintain mortgage payments as a sign of responsible credit use. They also see home ownership, even partial ownership, as a sign of financial stability.
What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›
The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.
According to the 28/36 rule, you should spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing and no more than 36% on all debts. Housing costs can include: Your monthly mortgage payment. Homeowners Insurance. Private mortgage insurance.
How can good debt turn into bad debt? ›
There are a few types of “good debt.” But remember, even good debt can turn bad if you take on more than you can realistically pay back or at too high an interest rate.
How much credit debt is good? ›
The general rule of thumb is that you shouldn't spend more than 10 percent of your take-home income on credit card debt.
Can you be in debt and have good credit? ›
The most creditworthy consumers don't have high scores because they are in debt; rather, it's because they likely have a variety of different credit products, such as credit cards and installment loans like a mortgage, that add up.
What are the golden rules of accounting? ›
To achieve this, the entity must follow three Golden Rules of Accounting: Debit all expenses/Credit all income; Debit receiver/Credit giver; and Debit what comes in/Credit what goes out.
How do you explain bad debt? ›
Bad debt is money that is owed to the company but is unlikely to be paid. It represents the outstanding balances of a company that are believed to be uncollectible. Customers may refuse to pay on time due to negligence, financial crisis, or bankruptcy.
What is the basic understanding of debt? ›
What is debt? Debt is something (usually money) borrowed by one party from another. Debt is used by both individuals and businesses to make purchases they couldn't otherwise afford, and gives them permission to borrow money under the condition it is paid back at a later date.
How do you determine whether a debt is a bad debt? ›
Bad debt is debt that cannot be collected. It is a part of operating a business if that company allows customers to use credit for purchases. Bad debt is accounted for by crediting a contra asset account and debiting a bad expense account, which reduces the accounts receivable.
How do you determine bad debt? ›
What is the bad debt expense formula? To calculate bad debt expenses, divide your historical average for total bad credit by your historical average for total credit sales. This formula gives you the percentage of bad debt, which represents the estimated portion of sales deemed uncollectible.
