Is Debt Really a Four Letter Word?

[GoldenEagle]

Is Debt Really a Four Letter Word? 

According to an NBC News article, 8 in 10 Americans are in debt. Granted, a good portion of those in debt have a home mortgage. Yet debt accumulation can be the result of a variety of factors. This can include a home mortgage, student loans, credit cards, auto loans, store credit, personal loans, divorce, poor money management, gambling, underemployment, unemployment, lack of an emergency fund, poor communication between spouses, and medical bills. The NBC article is based on a study by Pew Charitable Trusts which examined debt through generations. The article ends with “Love debt or hate it, it seems here to stay.” Yet is this truly the situation in the United States today?

 

As of August 2015, here is the U.S. household consumer debt profile from NerdWallet:

 

 

I’m going to contradict the statement by the NBC Article. Debt is not taking a foothold in our house. By working the 7 baby steps we have paid off all of our debts with the exception of our home mortgage. We will work our hardest to pay off the home mortgage in 8 years or less. What about you and your family? So is debt really a four letter word?

 

Four Aspects of Debt To Consider

 

1. Debt is Stressful.

 

“Rather go to bed without dinner than to rise in debt.” – Benjamin Franklin

 

Stress that can lead to significant strain in a relationship or marriage. According to this MSNBC article earlier this year, a study by SunTrust bank found that 35% of all respondents experiencing relationship stress said money was the primary cause of friction. Another study by the American Psychological Association found almost three out of four of Americans are experiencing financial stress at least some of the time. Nearly a quarter of Americans are feeling extreme financial stress. When one spouse or significant other is spending like there is no tomorrow and the other is trying to live frugally the result is friction. Unpaid bills, loss of a job, lack of savings for a rainy day, and lack of communication can lead to serious fights. Major life events can be disastrous to a family’s financial stability leading to repossession, foreclosure, and even bankruptcy. A good emergency fund and sinking funds can curb that stress factor. Don’t let debt rob you of your joy in life.

 

Is debt causing significant stress in your life, family, and relationship? 

 

2. Debt is Slavery.

“Those in debt are slaves.” – Andrew Jackson

 

The borrower is slave to the lender. That seems like common sense but many people avoid that reality. Yet common wisdom such as Proverbs 22:7 makes it clear. What is the biggest debt besides a home mortgage Americans face today? Student loan debt. So let’s talk about student loans for a moment. According to this Times article, last year American students were well over one trillion dollars in debt. That debt is only increasing as the cost of education continues to rise and more students than ever are attending college. The cost of obtaining a college degree has risen a ridiculous 1,120 percent in the last 30 years. In comparison the cost of medical care has risen 454 percent and housing costs have risen by 175 percent. It would not surprise me if the student loan crisis is the next bubble burst.

 

Let’s take this to a practical level for a moment. There’s a common misconception today that people should go to college for four years or more without having to work. Aside from the fact that this creates an environment where people have head knowledge but no real life experience, going to college is not a right. Going to college does not guarantee success in life. It is an opportunity to gain knowledge and network with people. However, it doesn’t have to cost $50,000 a year. There’s this thing called community college which allows you or your kid to get a majority of the basic courses knocked out for a fraction of the cost. Also there are a lot of grants and scholarships available that can help with college expenses. Finally, I’d encourage you or your kids to work during the summers and even throughout the semester. Students, don’t be a slave to debt for the next 10, 20, or 30 years with student loans. Parents, set your kids up for success by helping them to avoid student loan debt.

 

Do you view debt as slavery? 

 

3. Debt is Deceiving.

When you take out a loan so you can drive that new motorcycle, enjoy your new boat, go on that dream vacation you post pictures all over Facebook, or buy the latest HDTV with a surround sound you are deceiving yourself and others. If you don’t make the payment on the loan the lender has every right to come pick up their stuff. So in other words they are not your toys unless you paid 100% for them.

 

A Home Equity Line of Credit (or HELOC) may sound like a good idea at first. But are you improving your house in a logical or ludicrous manner? The litmus test is whether your improvement will make the eventual sale of your home happy and not how you feel about it. Or worst, are you buying toys such as previously mentioned or using a HELOC to pay off other debt like credit cards based on your house’s value? Did we not learn anything from the housing bubble crisis of 2008 and 2009? Do not deceive yourself or others.

 

Are you living beyond your means and deceiving yourself?

 

4. Debt is a Distraction.

When you are in debt, a portion of your paycheck goes to your lender not towards your checking or savings account. That means a good chunk of your check is going towards someone else’s bottom line. That’s not my idea of fun.

 

Interest is simply the cost of paying someone else for a product you want now. Say you take out a loan for 3 years at 25% interest for $5000 for a new furniture. Using a simple interest calculator you would find the furniture would cost $8,750.00 including interest. That would mean $3,750.00 went to interest. So you would nearly have paid double for that furniture set. What could you do with $3,750.00 extra cash? Maybe invest a portion of it into retirement, put some of it in an emergency fund, or save for the kids’ college.

 

With a home mortgage it makes sense to buy a house on a loan provided you put 20% down and keep the mortgage payment at 25% of your net income. It’s even advisable to sign up for a 15 or 20 year home mortgage instead of a 30 year note.

 

What about retirement? According to Forbes, 68% of working age Americans ages 25 to 64 are not saving enough for retirement. Fewer people today are taking advantage of employer sponsored savings plans. Of note as well 54% of Americans have too little saved to produce an income stream in retirement. It is sad that an estimated 9% of near-retirement age workers ages 55 to 64 will face extreme poverty. Another 24% will live in near-poverty, with income below twice the federal poverty line. Those two combined account for 6.4 million people.

 

However, with car payments, payday loans, and student loans the cost of living may become unbearable. Having payments reduces the amount you can save, spend, give, and invest. I have friends who have to live with family after graduating from college because they could not afford basic rent, utilities, and daily expenses to live on their own. I also have other friends who went to expensive schools such as TCU, Baylor, etc. Some of these friends faced bankruptcy in their mid to late 20’s. These same friends had new cars, extravagant lifestyles, no emergency fund, and the concept of a budget was nowhere on their radar.

 

Is debt a distraction in your life?

 

Final Thoughts

As an individual, don’t treat debt as a tool. Debt is stressful, slavery, deceiving, and a distraction. Does debt have a place for governments or business? That’s a question for another post. For now, I’ll leave you with a challenge from Ralph Waldo Emerson to not be a slave of your own past.

 

 

Source: http://www.eaglesoaringhigher.com/2015/09/11/is-debt-really-a-four-letter-word

 

Do you consider debt a four letter word? Is debt here to stay in your home?

God bless,
GE

[thereselittleflower]

I think debt must be looked at in terms ones assests.   The degree of stress and distraction is directly in proportion the amount of one's net worth and sufficient disposal income to easily cover the debt.       If one is very wealthy, a little debt is really nothing.   But that is not the situation with the vast majority of us.    We have failed to live within our means.

[Guest]

Yes, count the letters: D(1) E(2) B(3) T(4). Just joking. There is a 3 letter acronym that all Christians should live by, in this order: G = Give, S = Save, and L = Live. Give 10% (if able) to the Lord, Save 10% (if able), and Live on the rest (80%) GOD Will provide!!

[GoldenEagle]

I think debt must be looked at in terms ones assests.   The degree of stress and distraction is directly in proportion the amount of one's net worth and sufficient disposal income to easily cover the debt.       If one is very wealthy, a little debt is really nothing.   But that is not the situation with the vast majority of us.    We have failed to live within our means.

Very true ThereseLittleFlower. What can be done to try to correct these mistakes? Realizing there's a problem is the first step. Dealing with it is the next wouldn't you agree? If we are in debt how do we pick ourselves out of that mess?

God bless,
GE

Edited September 21, 2015 by GoldenEagle

[GoldenEagle]

Yes, count the letters: D(1) E(2) B(3) T(4). Just joking. There is a 3 letter acronym that all Christians should live by, in this order: G = Give, S = Save, and L = Live. Give 10% (if able) to the Lord, Save 10% (if able), and Live on the rest (80%) GOD Will provide!!

Lol. That made me laugh Rick. I like GSL. I'd add another letter to make it GISL. Give, Invest, Save, and Live. What do you think?
God bless,
GE

[thereselittleflower]

I think debt must be looked at in terms ones assests.   The degree of stress and distraction is directly in proportion the amount of one's net worth and sufficient disposal income to easily cover the debt.       If one is very wealthy, a little debt is really nothing.   But that is not the situation with the vast majority of us.    We have failed to live within our means.

Very true ThereseLittleFlower. What can be done to try to correct these mistakes? Realizing there's a problem is the first step. Dealing with it is the next wouldn't you agree? If we are in debt how do we pick ourselves out of that mess?

God bless,
GE

By changing our behavior and not relying on debt as a way to live.

It can be very hard to make such changes that both stop us from incuring more debt and paying off the debt we have.  But we have to get rid of the instant gratification mentality our society peddles to us.  

Debt is slavery if one is living beyond their means.

 

 

[other one]

Well, from watching the Dave Ramsey facebook people over several years it seems that everyone could get out of debt in five to six years if they choose to do so, not counting home mortgages.

 

but when you get out of debt, it is surprising how much disposable income most people will have.

[udx]

I use debt as a tool.  I intentionally go into debt, not because I have to, but because it makes financial sense.

For example, I could pay my car off in cash, but why pay it off in cash when I could get the car with 0% interest financing while my cash could be earning interest. I would also be paying back the loan with inflated dollars. 

Real example. There is a car selling for $25k with tax included. You could be paying it with cash for $24.5k with $500 cash rebate. On the other hand I could pay for with 60 monthly installments at 0% over 5 years. But note, i would be paying the loan with inflated dollars which would be worth less than $24.5k in today's dollars, not to mention I could be earning interest with the cash I have on hand.  I am essentially taking out a loan of 25k for free! You gotta be disciplined and not spend this money foolishly. This decision wouldn't be the same if interest rate is higher of course. However, one needs to watch out and not overextend by using this cash to do risky investments, but consider it as cash spent and use it on very conservative cash equivalent investments.

Debt, like money, is a tool, but few are wise enough to wield it properly. All money are essentially debt, so I do not really distinguished between the two. They are just debt in different forms. Paper money originate from an IOU promising you that you can redeem gold, now it is just an IOU back by the government. If you hold on to money, you are holding someone else's debt. When there are no debt, there would be no money.

GoldenEagle's advice on debt not going into debt is good for ordinary people. However, the next level would be how to use debt strategically, make debt and money work for you instead of being controlled by them. If you are not good with money, then stick to GoldenEagle's advice.

Edited September 22, 2015 by udx

[Reinitin]

I see debt through Gods word. I figure he always gets the last word. 

Romans 13:8 [Full Chapter]

[ Love, Our Primary Duty ] Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

 

Proverbs 22:7

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is aslave to the lender.

[Guest Thallasa]

On ‎21‎/‎09‎/‎2015 at 8:02 PM, GoldenEagle said:

Very true ThereseLittleFlower. What can be done to try to correct these mistakes? Realizing there's a problem is the first step. Dealing with it is the next wouldn't you agree? If we are in debt how do we pick ourselves out of that mess?

God bless,
GE

Well not that long go I was going to sell my house as I was not meeting my monthly payments every month and the stress was getting me down ,and then I had a revelation . All I had in my case to do was to not buy anything which was not absolutely neccessary to my survival ,and quite suddenly I had enough to live on .This mindful attitude lasted long enough to become a habit ,and now I have no debts and a little saved for a rainy day .

plus my house .

In the West we think we need this and that ,when we don't . When we get rid of the uneccessary ,we 

have more for the essentials . Get control ,do without until ..........and pray, not for more ,but for grace to get through . 

Recycle, bake ,buy bulk simple food like rice lentils ,etc . I got through with beans and lentils and chapatis for years .