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Debt dilemma plagues younger generation

Thanks to good advice, Chris Britton isn’t dealing with major credit card debt like some people. “I had to learn at an early age by some mentors to ...

Thanks to good advice, Chris Britton isn't dealing with major credit card debt like some people.

"I had to learn at an early age by some mentors to cut up my credit cards before going to college and I think that was one of the best things I ever did," said Britton.

He’s in the minority.

According to Ohio State University, millions of young Americans will die owing credit card debt, which is then passed on to their relatives.

"If you don't get control over it, it'll begin to control you," he said.

Even people who don't have credit cards know the dangers of them. 

"It's just easier to spend it and worry about it later kind of live in the moment," said Kristi Quinlivan, a sophomore at Augustana College.

While the numbers support that the younger generation in particular is affected, financial adviser, Dennis Riccio, says it's a problem with society in general.

"We have a lot of older clients in particular that are using it to supplement their living expenses, which makes it very difficult," said Riccio.

He says there's a greater consequence to all this borrowing.

"As you accumulate more debt, there has to be an ending point,” he said. “There's a point where people start cutting off credit."

As for getting out from underneath the mounds of debt- "It has to be a priority otherwise it's just very easy to continue to accumulate more debt," he said.

For conscientious consumers like Chris the answer is simple.

"I don't use any money unless I have it in my account."

If you’re interested in getting help with your finances, go to http://toomuchdebt.com/

 

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