With U.S. consumer debt hitting a record $18.8 trillion, it’s time to see how your balances measure up. In this episode, Laura breaks down average debt by age group and type—from Gen Z’s $35k average to Gen X’s $158k peak—to help you determine if your debt is "healthy" or a hurdle to retirement.

Key Takeaways:

The Big 4: Current averages for mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and credit cards.
Debt Rules of Thumb: Learn the 30/30/3 rule for housing and the 20/4/10 rule for car buying.
Know Your Ratios: How to calculate your Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio like a lender.
Payoff Strategies: Why high-interest debt is "bad" and how to use consolidation or balance transfers to escape it.

Whether you're looking to buy a home or just sleep better at night, learn how to stop being "average" and start building wealth.

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