Definition

Money owed by individuals for personal, family, or household expenses, like credit card balances or personal loans.

What to consider

  • Be conscious of accumulating debt from everyday spending.
  • Review your balances regularly to catch overspending early.
  • Reducing consumer debt can free up money for savings and investments.

Real world scenarios

  • Brenda finds herself juggling multiple store cards and a personal loan. She decides to focus on paying off these consumer debts before taking on any new financial commitments.
  • Terry consolidates his credit card balances into one account with a lower interest rate, making repayments more manageable. This approach reduces monthly stress and simplifies tracking.
  • Hoping to prevent consumer debt from spiraling, Deena sets a strict spending limit on her credit card. She pays the balance in full each month to avoid accumulating interest.

Related terms

Debt & Loans