Getting Real with Your Money: How to Manage Your Debt During a Crisis

When you borrow money, the person or entity that lends you the money is expecting to either pay you back or return the money in exchange for interest. This form of financing is often referred to as a "debt" and lenders charge interest to households, companies, and governments on the money that they lend you.

A worthwhile investment that is anticipated to either create income or increase in value over time is considered to be a "good debt" when it is used to finance the acquisition of further debt. Mortgages, school loans, and loans to start a business are some examples of acceptable forms of debt. These kind of debts can be a good thing since they enable people to make investments in their future that they otherwise might not be able to do if they did not have access to additional funding.

By taking on these kinds of obligations, people can increase their chances for success by making important life-changing decisions. Although there are risks associated with all types of debt (including good debts), using funding in this way allows for more opportunity down the line.

Positive finances aren't necessarily related to earning a living by providing something that someone else wants. For instance, a home is more valuable in the long run for the person who bought it than for someone renting it out. A loan for higher education can also be considered a positive debt. Getting a degree might mean bigger paychecks later in the future, and the authority to pay off the student loans.

On the other hand, improper or fraudulent debt is a loan taken for the purpose of creating wealth or income without expecting to repay any part of the loan.

For instance, acquiring a mortgage in order to purchase a home might be considered a positive debt. This is because the value of the home is expected to rise over the course of time, and the equity gained in the property can be used to offset the cost of the monthly mortgage payments.

Similarly, taking out a student loan to finance one's education at a postsecondary institution can be considered a "positive debt" due to the fact that completion of such an education might result in increased earning potential as well as an improved quality of life.

On the other hand, Bad debts are defined as loans that have not been used for the purpose of increasing one's wealth or income and is taken on for the purpose of making purchases that are needless or imprudent and does not result in an increase in value or revenue.

Bad debts include, but are not limited to, credit card debt incurred as a result of wasteful purchases; auto loans taken out to finance expensive vehicles; and payday loans with extremely high interest rates. These are the kinds of debts that can be damaging because they are notoriously tough to pay off and are known to put a strain on one's finances.

For instance, credit card debt that was incurred as a result of frivolous expenditures might be an unfavorable debt because the interest charges can quickly accumulate and make it difficult to pay off the sum. In a similar vein, auto loans for luxury automobiles typically come with very high interest rates and do not contribute anything toward the borrower's income. 

This might make them a risky form of debt. Payday loans with extremely high interest rates are another type of debt that should be avoided at all costs since they can start a vicious cycle of more debt that is difficult to break free from.

Payday lenders make their money by charging high fees on these types of transactions which makes them incredibly difficult to pay back. Lenders charge borrowers exorbitant fees because they are self-serving and profit from repayment complications. Many fail to find ways to pay back these loans because they involve taking on additional expenses like adding to a credit card debt or putting off car repairs or food expenses.

When bad debts pile up over time they can become extremely damaging because they often require borrowers to take on additional financial commitments in order to cover payments while also reducing available funds for other important expenses like groceries or rent.

Before taking on further debt, it is essential to conduct thorough research on the possible drawbacks as well as advantages, and to make responsible use of the money you borrow. Although debt, when managed correctly, can be a valuable instrument, it can also be detrimental if it is not handled in the appropriate manner.