If you didn’t already know how easily amused I am, this will clue you in. Following are 10 random, fascinating, or otherwise notable facts about debt.
- Think you’re alone? In 2009, 26% of adults said they did not pay all of their bills on time. (source)
- In 2010, consumer debt totaled $2.4 trillion – an average of $7,800 for every man, woman, and child in America. (source)
- In one 2009 survey, 36% of respondents didn’t know the interest rate on their most-used credit card. (source)
- As of the last quarter of 2010, VISA has more debit card users (397 million) than credit card users (269 million.) Mastercard holders prefer to get a bill with 171 million credit card users versus 123 million paying with debit. (source)
- As of April 2009, Miami residents owed more of their income to debt (22.61%) than those of any other major city in the U.S. Tampa came in second at 17.1% and L.A. took third at 16.81%. (source)
- At the end of 2010, there were an estimated 181 million credit card holders in America. Each cardholder is estimated to carry nine cards and $6,500 in debt. (source)
- In 2009, credit card companies raked in a whopping $20.5 billion in penalty fees. <<That’s practically a donation on your part, folks. (source)
- In 2007, 93% of American retirees carried debt. 30% of them considered it a problem. (source)
- As of January 2011, the U.S. national debt increased by a shocking $4 billion a day. <<Roughly what the cost of oil is doing now, LOL. (source)
- As of January 2011, the U.S. government borrows 41 cents of every dollar it spends. (source)
And, finally, for those of you feeling bored with your own debt, the treasury invites you to make a direct donation toward the U.S. national debt. (You know you wanna check that out, so click here – I promise not to look.)
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