Good debt vs. bad debt

Debt may get a bad rap, but the reality is, it's not all bad. Sure, the ideal financial situation may involve being totally debt free, but in certain instances and under certain circumstances, taking on debt can actually make good financial sense. This is why, in the world of finance, some debt is known as "good" debt, while other money owed is perceived as "bad" debt.

Good debt vs. bad debt

Good debt is "low-interest debt that helps you increase your income or net worth are examples of good debt," Nerdwallet explained. Just how low should that interest rate be for it to fall under the category of good debt? It's usually an interest or annual percentage rate (APR) "under 6%," per Fidelity.

However, "too much of any kind of debt — no matter the opportunity it might create — can turn it into bad debt," Nerdwallet warned.

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Bad debt is "debt that you are unable to repay" or "debt used to finance something that doesn't provide a return for the investment," explained credit bureau Equifax. Debt could become bad if it's too large a debt in comparison to your overall income (your debt-to-income ratio) or compared to the total credit available to you (your debt-to-credit ratio), as both could have a negative impact on your credit score and/or your eligibility for future borrowing.

What's considered good debt?

It's not always black and white when it comes to distinguishing between good debt and bad debt. Medical debt, for example, falls in a bit of a gray area, as it's "an expense that's largely uncontrollable and often doesn't have an interest rate," Nerdwallet said.

These types of debt often fall into the category of debt that's considered good:

• Student loans: Student loans fall under the category of good debt because, generally speaking, "a college degree can significantly boost a graduate's lifetime wages," according to Kiplinger. Some student loans "have lower interest rates compared to other loan types, and the interest may also be tax-deductible," Equifax added. Just remember that if you're not repaying a loan or the interest on your student loans starts ballooning, it can tip over into the category of bad debt.
• Home or real estate loans: Mortgages as well as home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) can also be considered good debt. With a mortgage, you're building equity through moving closer to home ownership. There's also the potential that your home's value will have increased by the time you go to sell. Meanwhile, home equity loans and HELOCs allow you to borrow against your home equity. You can use those funds for "long-term financial gain," Kiplinger said, such as to "upgrade a home, buy another property or pay off higher-interest debt." Again, though, careful debt management is key.
• Car loans: The category of auto loans is a bit squishy, as they can easily tip over into bad debt depending on the loan's terms, Equifax said. For instance, some may have a high interest rate if you have a low credit score. That said, "an auto loan can also be good debt, as owning a car can put you in a better position to get or keep a job, which results in earning potential," Equifax said.

What is 'bad' debt?

Here's a look at what types of debt are generally considered bad:

• Credit cards: "Credit cards allow you to spend money you don't have and carry hefty interest rates," said Kiplinger. Leaning on a credit card can become especially problematic if the card has a particularly steep interest rate, since interest can quickly begin to balloon with any remaining balance that rolls over from month to month. As such, Kiplinger recommended only using credit cards if you're confident you can pay off your balance in full each and every month.
• Personal loans for "discretionary purchases": Personal loans can be fine, but it depends on what interest rate they offer, and what you're using the funds for. Personal loans "can be a good option if you have a specific goal in mind, such as consolidating debt," Nerdwallet explained, whereas it's not so good if you're taking one out for "discretionary purchases," such as funding a vacation, a shopping spree, or even an over-budget wedding.
• Payday loans: Payday loans are one type of debt that will always fall into the "bad" category. They usually carry interest rates that are shockingly steep — this can be as high as 300%, according to Nerdwallet. Further, their due dates arrive fast, usually by your next paycheck, hence the name. This can make it very challenging to repay the debt in full and on time, which can easily drag you down into a debt cycle.

How can you keep your debt under control?

Savvy debt management is key to preventing a good debt from turning bad. Here are some tips that Kiplinger offered to keep your debt under control:

• Have a plan for paying off any high-interest debt you take on.
• Before taking on any debt, consider whether it will help or hurt your financial situation.
• Aim to keep your debt-to-income ratio under 35% to make sure you'll have enough money to cover any debt you assume.
• Pay off your credit card in full each and every month by the due date.
• Set up autopay to avoid late payments.
• Keep track of your loan balances and terms.
• Take advantage of refinancing when it's an option to lower your interest rate.

Becca Stanek has worked as an editor and writer in the personal finance space since 2017. She has previously served as the managing editor for investing and savings content at LendingTree, an editor at SmartAsset and a staff writer for The Week. This article is in part based on information first published on The Week's sister site, Kiplinger.com

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