Consumer Debt Is A Financial Killer

By Ron Taylor

One of the best ways to reclaim your financial future is to repay those high interest consumer loans and then restrict the use of credit cards to emergencies and fast investment cash.

Therefore, a crucial step in creating wealth is to reduce your dependence on credit cards and ensure future monthly payments on all of your cards combined never exceeds 10% of your after tax income.

Consumer debt is usually used to finance the purchase of “nice to have” things--which typically depreciate in value. Whereas, investment debt is the use of financing to purchase things which go up in value, like real estate, antiques, and well-run businesses.

Consumer credit increased at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in May 2006, while revolving credit increased at an annual rate of 10 percent. The Federal Reserve Statistical Release for July 10, 2006, indicates Americans currently owe over 808 billion dollars in revolving debt, which is principally credit cards and auto loans, and over 1.3 trillion dollars in non-revolving debt.

According to U.S. Bankruptcy Court statistics, there were well over 2 million bankruptcy flings made in 2005 alone, with the vast majority of these non-business related filings. Remember, there are approximately 123 million working Americans; therefore, this number represents nearly 2 percent of the working population. The abuse of credit cards by the American consumer has become a financial epidemic.

The propensity of Americans to assume high interest credit card debt, while fearing the use of debt to make intelligent investments, is mind-boggling. Consider this example. A new car may cost you up to $500 per month. At the end of 5 years, you will have a significantly depreciated car, with a loss of $30,000 or more in principal and interest payments.

Compare this to purchasing a rental property. In the worse case scenario, you may expect to make payments during vacancies, provide for unscheduled maintenance, and carry a negative cash flow from month to month. However, at the same time you will be enjoying a property that appreciates in value, while giving you a valuable tax write-off.

Appreciation and tax write-offs are not the primary reason to get involved in real estate, nor is carrying a negative cash flow a pleasant thought. But, in the long run, this is more advantageous to your wealth goals than the car loan.

As a credit consumer you should also protect yourself against the dreaded Universal Default Clause. Amazingly, a large percentage of major credit card issuers have this clause tucked into your user agreement.

Essentially, the Universal Default Clause allows your credit card company to significantly increase your interest rate and fees based on your credit score and payment history with other lenders, including your home and car loan.

Watch out for this clause and try to avoid doing business with credit card companies that use this tactic to prey on their less sophisticated customers.

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