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Sucking it up and paying it off

American families reacted to the recession by reining spending. Household debt is down 17.5% from 2008 levels.

Sucking it up and paying it off

One reason for our sluggish recovery from the recession is what Americans are doing with their money: paying off old debt. Total American household debt is 17.5 percent lower than when the market crash occurred in 2008. From 2007 to 2010, the percentage of US households owing some kind of debt fell from 77 to 75 percent. Total households debt in this country now stands at $11.38 trillion. At its peak in 2008, it totaled $13.8 trillion.

To see what that means to the average household – and what types of debt we’re running – click on today’s infographic, then comment below. In an economy driven by consumer spending, is this trend good or bad?

What do others say?

  • : US News & World Report calculator: “Are you in over your head?” More

  • : MSNBC: “Four reality checks for your finances” More

  • : Fox News: “How to Pay Down Debt” More

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