Regardless of the type of debt you have or the amount, living with debt looming over your head can have many potential adverse effects – many of which aren’t financial. Carrying substantial debt doesn’t just affect your credit score and spending abilities; it can lead to more problems in virtually every area of your life. Here are four ways massive debt may be hurting you:
1. It hurts your credit score
Did you know that the amount of debt you have is one of the biggest factors that go into your credit score? Your debt accounts for approximately 30% of your credit score. The more debt you have than your credit limits or original loan balances, the lower your credit score will fall. Your credit score as a direct impact on your ability to borrow money or make large purchases in your life.
2. It can lead to serious health issues
The physical and mental health concerns that can arise from living with debt can range from mild to severe. The stress of not knowing how you will afford to pay your bills and purchase necessities can lead to depression, migraines, ulcers or even heart attacks. According to one report, substantial debt was linked to higher death rates.
3. It can prevent you from owning a home
When you apply for a mortgage, lenders will look at your credit card, auto and student loan debts to determine your eligibility. If your other debts are too high, there’s a good chance you’ll be stuck renting until you can pay off a significant portion of it. Generally, if your total debt payments exceed 43% of more of your income, you’ll probably have a hard time securing a home to own.
4. It costs more money
Ironically, being in debt ends up costing the debtholder even more money in the form of interest. The higher the interest rate on your loan or credit card, the more you’ll end up paying to get out of debt. The longer it takes you to pay off your debt and the more debt you have, the more interest you’ll end up paying.
Fortunately, all of these problems tend to disappear when you can get a handle on your finances. Consider creating a new monthly budget to reduce your debt, working with a financial advisor or exploring bankruptcy options to break free from your debt.
