{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/69c148bb1a160b44db9c8fcc/69c292ab7878605e11df803b?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"How Your Debt Compares With the Average American’s","description":"<p>With U.S. consumer debt hitting a record $18.8 trillion, it’s time to see how your balances measure up. In this episode, Laura breaks down average debt by age group and type—from Gen Z’s $35k average to Gen X’s $158k peak—to help you determine if your debt is \"healthy\" or a hurdle to retirement.</p><p><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>The Big 4:</strong> Current averages for mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and credit cards.</li><li><strong>Debt Rules of Thumb:</strong> Learn the 30/30/3 rule for housing and the 20/4/10 rule for car buying.</li><li><strong>Know Your Ratios:</strong> How to calculate your Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio like a lender.</li><li><strong>Payoff Strategies:</strong> Why high-interest debt is \"bad\" and how to use consolidation or balance transfers to escape it.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Whether you're looking to buy a home or just sleep better at night, learn how to stop being \"average\" and start building wealth.</p><p><br></p><p>Find a transcript on your podcast player.&nbsp;</p><p>Have a money question? Send an email to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:money@quickanddirtytips.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>money@quickanddirtytips.com</strong></a>&nbsp;or leave a voicemail at (302) 364-0308.</p><p>Find Money Girl on&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/MoneyGirlQDT\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook</strong></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https://twitter.com/LauraAdams\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a>, or&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/money-girl-newsletter\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>subscribe to the newsletter</strong></a>&nbsp;for more personal finance tips.</p><p>Money Girl is a part of&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Quick and Dirty Tips</strong></a>.</p><p>Links:</p><p><a href=\"https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/</strong></a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/money-girl-newsletter\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/money-girl-newsletter</strong></a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/MoneyGirlQDT\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>https://www.facebook.com/MoneyGirlQDT</strong></a></p>","author_name":"QuickAndDirtyTips.com"}