As of August 2014, from U.S. government statistics. Average household credit card debt: $7,221 Average indebted household debt (folks with serious debt troubles): $15,480 Average student load debt: $33,424. Average mortgage debt: $156,474. (Following is some financial TMI.) There are many things Im grateful for, some come from my parents, my social standing, the time I grew up, and from the kindness and generosity of others. My college education was from a very good in-state school in North Carolina and through a good post-grad trade school in AZ. I left school with no debt, due to my father selling his IBM stock to pay for my $400 a year tuition at UNC and through the help from the state of Arizona with the other school, and some help from mom and dad in the 80s and 90s. When my mother died, there was enough money left to cover my large credit card debt, at that time in 2011 was around $20,000. I grew up far more privileged than most, in a middle class family with opportunities. Now, its a bit of a struggle, with book, music and image sales down over the last four years, but Ive retained my counseling license so I can still work in the addiction field, which I do part-time. I dont have a mortgage but live in a nice apartment that doesnt cost a lot. I have a studio space that I use as the hub of Fezziwig Press that runs around $200 a month which is fantastic rent. I make enough money (or have enough in savings) to cover my bills each month, with enough money to go see a concert or drive into the desert with camera in hand (even though thats part of one of my jobs.). Ive not been in any credit card debt since 2011. Im not saying this to brag or get sympathy. Im just saying that Im grateful for what I have. Im writing this more for myself than anyone else, to remind me of my relative wealth, by world standards. (I was recently in Mexico shooting stock. Im always moved by the poverty I see there.) And I thought you might want to see those debt numbers at the top of the post. You are not alone. I really feel for those who look at their bills each month wondering how to make ends meet, paying minimums on the cards or raking up more debt. Or to those single parents (or two parent households) who are pedaling as fast as they can, to raise their kids, on one or two incomes that dont quite cover. Or to those retirees who have to make the choose between food and medication. Im fortunate. Very fortunate. But sometimes I have to run the numbers to remember that.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 17:58:10 +0000
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