Do You Have Too Much Debt?

Add up certain types of debt and compare the total to income to see if it's a problem and how to proceed.

NerdWalletFebruary 18, 2021
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Wondering if you have too much debt? The total of certain types of debt compared to your income can help you answer that question. For example, debt loads (excluding a mortgage and student loans) greater than 40% of your annual income may be overwhelming.

If you can't keep up with payments, or you're facing stress or sleepless nights, then it’s likely time to assess what you owe and investigate how you can pay off your debt.

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Figure out your debt load

Use the calculator below to tease out whether your debt is problematic. The calculator will also offer recommendations for what to do next.

Enter various debts — such as credit card payments and medical bills — and your income into this calculator. Student loans and mortgages tend to be less problematic forms of debt, so set those aside for now.

View your result for these riskier types of debt in terms of possible solutions:

  • If it's less than 36%, your debt load is within the range considered affordable compared with your earnings.

  • If it's between 36% to 42%, look into DIY methods like debt snowball or debt avalanche.

  • If it's between 43% to 50%, take action to reduce your debt load; consulting a nonprofit credit counseling agency may be helpful. If it's 50% or more, your debt load is high risk; consider getting advice from a bankruptcy attorney.

Think of those guidelines as a general rule of thumb. “There is no one rule for debt,” says David Nash, a certified financial planner at Magister Wealth in San Antonio, Texas. However, he adds, “If your debt level is increasing as a percentage of your income, that indicates some tougher tradeoffs need to be considered.”

Distinguish between good debt and bad debt

It's important to separate the good, the bad and the toxic. A mortgage with an annual percentage rate of 3.5%, for example, can be weighed differently than a credit card with a 20% APR.

What’s good debt?

When the interest rate is low and fixed, and the loan is used to buy something that grows in value, like a house, business or college education. It’s also good if the interest is tax-deductible, like most mortgage and student loan interest.

What’s bad debt?

Loans with high or variable interest rates that are used to buy things that lose value or get used up. Examples include high-interest personal loans for discretionary purchases like vacations, auto loans stretching five years or longer, or high-interest credit card debt with increasing balances.

What’s toxic debt?

No-credit-check and payday loans with APRs above 36%, loans so long you end up paying more than the item is worth, or loans requiring collateral you can’t afford to lose, like your car.

Bad debt has crushing interest costs and limits your cash flow, savings and ability to borrow for goals like buying a home, says Erika Safran, a certified financial planner with Safran Wealth Advisors in New York City.

But a low-interest mortgage that you can comfortably afford shouldn’t keep you up at night.

Common warning signs of problem debt

  • Your debt balance is not going down despite regular payments.

  • You’re living paycheck to paycheck, with no money at the end of the month.

  • You’re not contributing to an employer-sponsored retirement plan because you need the money.

  • You’re unable to build an emergency fund of at least $500 to buffer against financial shocks.

  • You’re using credit cards for cash advances.

Are my other types of debt a problem?

The following guidelines give you an idea of how much is too much in these debt categories and what to do if you’re overloaded:

Guideline: When buying a home, limit your mortgage costs to 36% of your income or less. This calculator helps you see how much house you can afford.

How to handle an overload: Look into refinancing, or consider downsizing or moving to a lower-cost area. If you’re refinancing or changing homes in your 40s or 50s, choose a 15- or 20-year mortgage, so you can be mortgage-free by retirement.

Guideline: Don’t borrow more for a degree than you expect to make in your first year in the workforce. If you expect a starting salary of $40,000, for example, limit your loans to $10,000 per year for a four-year degree. Overborrowing is a common regret among student loan recipients, according to NerdWallet research.

How to handle an overload: Explore your repayment options, including income-driven repayment plans and refinancing.

Guideline: Experts say your total auto costs — including car payment — should stay within 20% of your take-home pay. Car loans should be for four years or fewer and ideally accompanied by a 20% down payment. That way you don’t spend years owing more than the car is worth.

How to handle an overload: If you have an unaffordable car loan, consider refinancing it or trading your car in for a less expensive one.

Guideline: Medical debt is a special case since health care expenses are often beyond consumers’ control. This type of debt is generally interest-free, but the amounts involved can make it unmanageable.

How to handle an overload: Try negotiating with the billing office to lower the amount due or set up an affordable payment plan. Take steps to cover the costs on your own if possible, but you may need to look into debt relief.