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Money problems are pretty common. In fact, 73% of Americans say finances are their top source of stress in life. So if you are feeling the pinch and worrying, you are not alone.

But that doesn’t mean you should live with the anxiety that a mountain of debt or low credit score can bring.
Here, you’ll learn about the most common financial issues you may face, how to avoid money problems, and how to resolve them if and when they strike.

Why Are Money Problems Common?

There are many factors that contribute to money problems. Depending on your situation, you might be dealing with, among other factors:

•  A lower income

•  A higher cost of living

•  Student loan debt

•  A medical or other emergency

•  Overspending (perhaps due to compulsive shopping)

•  Inflation

•  A job layoff

7 Common Money Issues

Financial challenges can happen to anyone — whether you are younger or older, rich or living paycheck to paycheck. Here are some of the most common money issues that people come up against.

1. High Credit Card Debt

Credit cards can be a useful tool for disciplined consumers who are trying to build good credit. And there are several perks to paying with a card instead of cash, including convenience, purchase protections, and rewards programs.

But many Americans aren’t able to pay off their account balance every month. According to U.S. Census Bureau and Federal Reserve Bank of New York data, the average household carries a whopping $7,951 in credit card debt.

Thanks to high interest rates, items you charge on a credit card and don’t pay off right away end up costing quite a bit more. As of spring of 2023, the average credit card rate topped 20%.

The interest you’re charged on a credit card also compounds, which means interest is calculated not only on the principal amount owed but also the accumulated interest from previous pay periods.

While this kind of compounding is a positive thing for compound-interest savings accounts, it can be a real issue with your plastic. It means a credit card balance can grow exponentially, even if you pay the minimum every month. Add in late charges and the possibility that the interest rate could be increased on an overdue account, and it’s easy to see how consumers get into trouble.

2. A Low Credit Score

Carrying too much debt or failing to make credit card or loan payments on time may result in a lower credit score.
A low credit score can make it harder to get a loan, such as a mortgage or a credit card. And even if an application is approved, the interest rate the lender offers may be higher than what’s available to borrowers with better scores. That higher interest rate can make it harder to make payments and keep up with other bills, which can, in turn, further hurt your credit score.

A low credit score can also negatively impact your ability to get a job or rent an apartment. And, it can take years before negative factors like late payments, defaults, and collections are removed from credit reports.

3. Not Having an Emergency Fund

Setting money aside in an emergency fund may seem like a luxury for those who are struggling to meet everyday expenses. But a solid savings buffer can actually be even more important if you’re living on a tight budget.

Without an emergency fund, any unexpected expense that comes along — whether it’s a high medical bill, a car or home repair, or a temporary job loss – can throw you way off balance.

As a result, you might need to use high-interest credit cards, retirement savings (which can trigger penalty charges), or other options that can add even more stress to a challenging situation.

A solid contingency fund that contains at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses can be an essential component of financial stability.

4. Spending More Than You Earn

Picking up a morning latte and grabbing lunch out may not seem like it could make or break your bottom line. But just $25 per week spent eating out will cost you $1,300 per year, which is money that could go toward an extra loan payment or a few extra car payments.

If you tend to make spending decisions on the fly (without any type of budget or financial plan in mind), it can be easy to blow through more money than you actually earn, and much harder to achieve your financial goals.

While the causes of overspending are varied, the habit is one of the most common reasons why people get caught in the debt trap. If you don’t have the cash to cover your expenses, you may rely on credit cards to get you through.

Once you start paying interest on your credit card balance, your monthly expenses go up. This can make it even harder to live within your means and, as a result, lead to more debt.

5. Facing Foreclosure

State foreclosure rates vary, but regardless of where you live, it can be a major concern for struggling homeowners, especially in tough economic times.

People can end up in foreclosure for any number of reasons, including financial mismanagement (buying too much house or choosing a loan payment they can’t afford), or uncontrollable events (such as a job loss or expensive medical condition).

The process is typically slow, but it can be daunting to imagine having to move, especially if it means taking children out of a school or neighborhood they love. And there can be long-lasting financial consequences, as well.

A foreclosure can have a significant effect on a credit score, and it can stay on a person’s credit record for years.

6. Student Debt

While getting a college degree can improve your earning potential, the cost of getting that degree continues to skyrocket. And so has student loan debt.

Recent statistics reveal that the average student has $37,338 in debt due to educational loans. As students leave college and enter the workforce, paying back that money can be a major challenge. Student loan burdens can lead to postponing certain milestones, including homebuying or having children, and saving for retirement.

Recommended: Average Student Loan Debt: Who Owes the Most?

7. Not Saving Enough for Retirement

According to a recent survey, one in four Americans has no retirement savings. Zip, nada. While having no money in the bank for later life can make some people feel like, “Why even bother trying to say,” know that financial advisors stress that saving something is better than nothing.

Thanks to the magic of compounding interest (when the interest earned on your money gets reinvested and earns interest of its own), even putting just a small percent of your paycheck into a 401K or IRA each month can add up over time.

Recommended: How to Manage Your Money Better

Money Problem Solving

If you recognize that you have money problems brewing or in full force, here are some steps to solve the problem:

Identify the Issue

Though it may be tempting to hide from what is going on, digging in and exploring where your money is going (or isn’t going) is an important move. Is your credit card debt feeling insurmountable? Are your housing and food costs rising too steeply? Did a job loss or medical bill force you into a difficult financial position?

Figure out and face the facts so you can move forward.

Develop and Implement a Plan

Once you know the source (or sources) of your money stress, you are in a position to take action. In a moment, you’ll learn some important ways to take control of financial issues. These include budgeting and paying down debt.

But other specific moves may suit your situation, such as debt consolidation or refinancing student loans.

Seek Help

If despite digging into your money issues, you are feeling unclear of how to proceed or as if there isn’t a feasible solution, reach out for help. There are an array of professionals who might be appropriate, from a certified financial planner (CPA) to a low- or no-cost debt counselor.

How to Cope with Money Issues

If you’re dealing with money problems (or hoping to avoid any future setbacks), here are some money management strategies you may want to put into place.

Setting a Budget

People tend to cringe at the word “budget” because it sounds like work, but having a budget in place can help simplify your finances and improve your money mindset.

To create a monthly budget, you simply need to gather up the last several months of financial statements and receipts and then use them to figure out how much you’re bringing in (after taxes) each month, as well as how much you are spending on average each month.

If the latter exceeds the former, or is so close there’s nothing left over for saving, you may want to drill down deeper.

To see exactly where your money is going you may need to track your expenses for a month or two and then determine exactly how much is going towards nonessential (or discretionary) purchases, where you may be able to cut back.

You may also want to consider adopting the 50-30-20 budget rule. With this type of budget, half your take-home income goes towards needs (or essential expenses), 30 percent goes towards wants (nonessentials), and 20 percent goes towards your financial goals–such as debt repayment beyond the minimum, building an emergency fund, and saving for a home or retirement.

Knocking Down Debt

Reducing debt may seem like a tall mountain to climb, but using a systematic approach can help make the process more manageable.

One method you might consider is the snowball method. This involves paying as much as you can each month toward your smallest balance while making the minimum payment on all your other debts so your accounts remain in good standing. Once you’ve paid off that smallest debt, you move on to the new smallest balance and continue this process until you’ve paid off all your accounts.

Another approach you may want to consider is the avalanche method. With this strategy, you start by paying as much as possible toward the debt with the highest interest rate, while making minimum payments on all the others. Once that debt is paid off, you move to the balance with the next-highest interest rate, and so on.

As briefly noted above, debt consolidation is an option as well, perhaps with a personal loan or a student loan refinance.

The Takeaway

It’s common to face money issues throughout your life, particularly when you are just starting out. Some of the most common include overspending, being burdened by debt, not having a financial cushion for emergencies, and not putting enough away for retirement.

Whatever financial challenges you are facing, you may want to clearly assess the issue and then come up with a spending, saving, and debt repayment plan that can help you get back onto solid ground.

Need some help? If you’re looking to keep better track of your spending and saving, a SoFi Checking and Savings high interest bank account may be a good option.

You can use the SoFi app to track your weekly spending and see how you’re doing with your budget. You can use the Vaults feature to earmark the cash in your account for different goals.

FAQ

What are common money problems?

Common money problems include high-interest credit card debt, lower income, student loan debt, a low credit score, and overspending.

What do people struggle with most financially?

What people struggle with financially will vary from person to person, but debt, inflation, high cost of living, and lack of emergency-fund and retirement savings are common issues.

What are 4 common investment mistakes?

Four common investment mistakes include not establishing a long-term plan, letting emotion guide your decisions, attempting to time the market, and flying to diversify your portfolio.

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According to data from The College Board, college graduates from the class of 2021 graduated with an average of $29,100 in student loan debt. The amount of student loan debt a person takes on can vary based on factors like the type of school they attended, whether or not they pursued an advanced degree, and whether they received any scholarships or not. Read on for more information on average student loan amounts.

Average Student Loan Debt After College

As of March 2023, the total amount of student loan debt was approximately $1.78 trillion , and according to EducationData.org, there are 45.3 million borrowers in the country.

That means there are a lot of us trying to understand and navigate the student loan landscape. How much are we borrowing? And what can we do to decrease the amount we owe?

As earlier mentioned, The College Board found that cumulative debt levels upon graduation — meaning the debt students had accumulated over the four years of undergrad — was $29,100 per borrower for those graduating in 2021 (the latest stats available). And in 2020 – 2021, 54% of graduates carried student loan debt.

How Average Student Loan Debt Has Changed in the Last 10+ Years

It’s no secret that college is expensive and has only gotten more expensive in the last 10 years. According to data compiled by U.S. News, the cost of attending college with in-state tuition at public national universities increased by nearly 175% from 2002 to 2022.

Over roughly that same period of time (from 2010 to 2020), total outstanding student loan debt grew from $845 billion to $1.7 trillion in order to cover those costs. Though as of the third quarter of 2022, the total outstanding federal student loan debt is $1.6 trillion. This student loan debt crisis is taking a financial toll on graduating students, potentially affecting their credit and home-buying prospects.

Recommended: Scholarship Search Tool

Average Student Loan Debt

There is good news, though: the growth of student loan debt is starting to decline. The average cumulative student debt was $29,900 for 2011 graduates (with bachelor’s degrees) and $32,100 for 2016 bachelor’s degree recipients. For the undergraduate class of 2021, the average was $29,100.

Public vs Private Four-Year Schools Student Loan Debt

The College Board’s annual survey of trends in student aid found that 2021 graduates of public four-year institutions had an average college debt of $21,400, compared to private, non-profit school borrowers, who graduated with an average debt of $22,600.

It should be noted that numbers for for-profit schools are harder to come by, but what is true across analyses is that students at for-profit schools take out more in student loans and default at higher rates.

Recommended: College Finder Tool

Undergraduate vs Graduate Student Debt

Let’s look at this from a different angle. How does undergrad debt compare to grad school debt? The College Board’s annual survey of student aid trends found that on average, undergraduates took out $3,780 in federal loans in the 2021-2022 school year. That same year, graduate students took out $17,680 in federal loans.

If you are planning to get an advanced degree, prepare for a potential mortgage-sized debt load. As an example, over half of people with law degrees have at least $150,000 in student loan debt according to the American Bar Association’s 2021 Law School Student Loan Debt survey.

The Average Student Loan Debt for Borrowers Under 25

There are about 6.9 million people under the age of 24 with student loan debt. As a group, they owe just over $101 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s Q3 2022 report .

Average College Debt by State

When we look at the average student loan debt broken down by school and region, it also becomes clear there is a range of highs and lows across the country. The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS) puts together a comprehensive report on national student debt, using numbers self-reported to college guide publisher Peterson’s from thousands of colleges and universities.

The numbers reported by schools vary but it does allow for a geographic look at the average student loan debt by state.

According to EducationData.org’s report (updated in April 2022) , the highest debt states (including Washington DC) in 2021, the last year for reported numbers, were Washington DC ($54,945), Maryland ($42,861), Georgia ($41,639), Virginia ($39,165), and Florida ($38,459). The states (including Puerto Rico) where college graduates had the lowest average debt were South Dakota ($30,954), Iowa ($30,464), North Dakota ($28,604), and Puerto Rico ($28,242).

Average Student Loan Payment

A borrower’s monthly student loan payment can vary quite a bit depending on the amount of debt they carry and the type of payment plan they have selected. According to data from the Federal Reserve, typical payments for student loans can range from $200 to $299. Though, as noted, your monthly payments may be more or less depending on factors like your loan amount and payment plan.

How Long It Takes to Pay Off Student Loans

But even as the growth of new student loan debt is slowing, there continue to be outstanding student loan amounts that haven’t yet been paid off — which helps to explain why the total loan balances are hitting record highs.

If you have a federal loan when you graduate, you can choose a repayment plan. The default option is the Standard Repayment plan, which is 10 years of fixed monthly payments.

Recommended: Student Loan Repayment Options

There are a few other options that extend the repayment term or allow you to repay on an income-driven plan. Many graduates take longer than 10 years to pay back their loans, and about a third of borrowers have gone into student loan default in the past 20 years, according to survey data from The Pew Charitable Trusts .

Though, it’s worth noting that the U.S. Department of Education announced in April 2022 that it would eliminate the negative consequences for those with defaulted student loans as a part of the student loan pause that began due to Covid-19 and was extended by the Biden-Harris administration.

There isn’t a lot of data on exactly how long it takes students to pay off their student loans, partially because it varies based on how big your loan amount is and partially because some numbers count consolidation as loan repayment — when in reality you’ve taken out a new loan with different terms.

The U.S. Department of Education lists the maximum repayment timelines for Direct Consolidation loans, which for borrowers holding between $20,000 and $40,000 in student loan debt is 20 years. Direct Consolidation loans allow borrowers to consolidate their federal loans into a single loan.

Recommended: Student Loan Options: What is Refinancing vs. Consolidation?

But it is worth noting: the sooner you pay off your loan, the more you save in the long run because you aren’t accruing interest for as long. Part of the reason so many students struggle to make payments is that their student loan payments are large in comparison to their incomes.

The interest rate can be a big factor in that. While interest rates on federal student loans are fixed and set annually by the government, interest rates on private student loans are based on a number of factors and are updated as needed. Use SoFi’s student loan calculator to figure out how your monthly payments could change at different interest rates.

Refinancing Student Loans With SoFi

Those looking for options to manage student loan payments might consider student loan refinancing. This process involves borrowing a new loan from a private lender. Lenders review applicant credit history and earning potential (among other financial factors) to determine the new loan terms, with a new, hopefully, lower interest rate.

Borrowers who refinance student loans with a private lender may also be able to adjust their repayment term. Extending the term could lower monthly payments but may end up making the loan more expensive over the life of the loan.

Those who want to continue to take advantage of federal loan benefits like income-based repayment may not want to refinance with a private lender, because all federal student loan benefits are lost when a federal student loan is refinanced.

It takes just a few minutes to get a quote to see what refinancing with SoFi could do for your student loans. The application is entirely online and there are no fees.

FAQ

Is $50,000 a lot of student debt?

Yes, $50,000 is a lot of student loan debt. According to data from The College Board, the average amount of debt a 2021 graduate carried was $29,100.

How many people have student loan debt in the US?

In the U.S. as of Q3 2022, there are approximately 42.8 million people who have student loan debt, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education.

What is the average someone pays a month for student loans?

The average someone pays per month for student loans will vary based on factors like the total loan amount and the repayment plan they have selected.

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SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.