Surviving High Debt States
Are you more likely to have more debt according to what state you live in? In a recent report done by Experian on the debt averages per state, the answer is yes! The report, compiled from approximately 3 million consumers nationwide, shows that the North East states of New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island have the highest average overall debt in the nation of $16,845, $15,314 and $14,643. The report measures overall debt of a consumer; everything present on a credit report, including credit cards and installment debts but excluding mortgage debt. Massachusetts, Maine and Delaware also followed closely behind the top three.
The states listed with the lowest average debt were Mississippi, Washington D.C., and Oklahoma. These states reported around half of the debt of the northern states with $8,420, $8,655 and $8,823. So what factors make the debt averages so different between these states? Cost of living plays a role with the higher cost of living in the New England and coastal areas versus the South and Midwest areas.
Another contributing factor is the low mortgage rates and availability of credit. The ease of acquiring credit leads consumers to purchase luxuries on a buy-now, pay-later basis when they otherwise may not have purchased at that time. The Federal Reserve reports that Americans spend half of the money they acquire from refinancing their homes on vacations and home improvements.
The report from Experian also recorded the average debt by age groups, concluding that Americans in the age groups 40-49 and 50-59 showed the highest amount of debt. Experian analysts, explaining that as age increases, people are building their lifestyle, explain this as "sensible". It seems backwards in my opinion. It would make more sense if those approaching retirement age would concentrate on eliminating their debt. It doesn't seem like a high priority to prepare for the years when they won't have their regular income and savings will carry them through retirement. Any debt that includes interest is compounded by that interest. Consumers end up paying two to three times the original purchase price once interest is included. Credit scores even seem to condone high rates of debt. It's common to see a consumer with a high debt ratio with excellent credit even though they may be maxed out on what they can spend and what they owe. More debt can mean better credit.
Consider the possibility of being debt free. When it comes time to retire and your income is limited, you will own everything that you have. If an emergency arises you will have the resources, such as credit cards or savings, to pay cash instead of taking on higher monthly payments. Also, when you buy something with cash, you actually own it. Credit purchases are only yours when you are done paying for them, regardless of when you take them home.
The simplest way to eliminate your debt and high interest payments is to pay them off. As an annuity recipient you are receiving your money over a number of years. While you are waiting for your payments, you are paying interest on all of your debts. Consider selling your annuity for the cash you deserve now. With an advance on your future payments you can eliminate your debt and high interest payments that leave you paying much more for everything you have. Consult a financial professional and an attorney for advice on your annuity. You can experience the freedom of being debt free and owning everything you have.
Jason M. Rigler
Cash now for future payments
MORE RESOURCES:
 Telegraph.co.uk | Citigroup Posts $2.5 Billion Loss on Write-Downs New York Times, United States - By LOUISE STORY Hobbled by the credit crisis at home, Citigroup has limped through nine months in the red, reporting a $2.5 billion quarterly loss on Friday ... Credit Costs Weigh on Citigroup Citigroup credit default swaps narrow 15 bps-Phoenix Credit Costs Weigh on Citigroup |
 The Money Times | Ackermann says credit crisis end in sight Financial Times, UK - Josef Ackermann, Deutsche Bank’s chief executive, on Thursday said the credit crunch was at “the beginning of the end” as banks and regulators have taken ... 2nd UPDATE: JPMorgan 2Q Net Down 53% On Credit Woes, Markdowns JP Morgan: The Legacy of the Credit Crunch Why No Outrage? |
Studying up on credit scores Chicago Tribune, United States - In matters of money, a credit score assesses your financial responsibility. And just as with taking your first practice test, your score may be low when you ... Given a Shovel, Digging Deeper Into Debt |
Dollar Rebounds From Record Versus Euro as Credit Turmoil Eases Bloomberg - The US currency also rose versus the yen on signs US investment banks will withstand credit-market losses and the Federal Reserve and the Treasury proposed ... |
 BBC News | Credit crisis: Merrill Lynch to sell Bloomberg stake and keep HQ after Tehran Times, Iran - The loss was due to write-downs of $9.4bn on the value of mortgage holdings, credit-related derivatives and instruments guaranteed by crisis-hit monoline ... Merrill Drops After $4.65 Billion Second-Quarter Loss (Update2) Quarterly loss at Citi smaller than expected, but Merrill disappoints BlackRock shares soar on earnings, Merrill stake move |
$10m W/Bank Credit: Boom time for small-scale mining The Punch, Nigeria - This was the scenario, which the World Bank set out to help Nigeria change in 2005 when it granted the country $120m credit under the Sustainable Management ... |
Mortgage sales pressure fuelling credit crisis: ACTU ABC Online, Australia - The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has accused banks of fuelling the credit crisis by forcing staff to push mortgages onto people who cannot ... Banks 'pushing' families into debt Banks lean on staff to push loans |
No deals for debits at the pump Detroit Free Press, United States - I would have paid the same price if I used a credit card. Bring the Benjamins and you'd get that super-low price -- OK, low by today's standards -- of ... Gas stations turning to using 'gift |
Teton County development plagued by credit crunch Fox 12 Boise, ID - Developer Bill Reid said a nationwide credit crunch prevented him from winning more financing for the 1350-acre Huntsman Springs project. ... |
Deals and takeovers are being done despite the credit crisis Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - So, tapping the credit market for a cool £10bn to finance the acquisition of companies such as Alliance Boots or J Sainsbury is simply out of the question ... |
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