Cities That Owe The Most

   By drodriguez  Mar 23, 2011
5

It can be so easy to use your credit card for purchases and then forget about it, until the end of the month of course when the bill comes and your jaw drops.  Some recent data from the credit reporting agency Experian reminds us how common credit card debt is in our country and highlights the U.S. cities that tend to have the highest credit card debt.

CNN reports on the findings, one of which is that the average consumer owed about $4,200 in credit card debt at the end of 2010. Some good news we learned from the report is that we may be spending more wisely these days since the average credit card debt overall was 4 percent lower than in the previous year when the average credit card holder owed around $4,467.  

The city that ranked highest in credit card debt was San Antonio, Texas where the average consumer owes more than $5,000 to credit cards.  The cities that followed close behind San Antonio were Jacksonville, Atlanta, Honolulu, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

The report also notes that consumers now have 23 percent fewer credit cards, with the average consumer carrying only 1 or 2 cards.  One danger in carrying fewer cards is that it is easier to max out the available balance which can lead to a negative rating on your credit score.  

So how can you make sure your credit remains in good standing while you are in debt?  If you carry more cards and spread out the debt amongst them you can keep lower balances on each card which will be better for your credit.  But this can be dangerous if you’re tempted to spend more just because you’re carrying more cards.  Another way to whittle down credit card debt sooner and positively affect your credit would be to make sure you always pay on time and pay more than the minimum payment due each month.

What do you think of the report about the cities with residents that have the most credit card debt?

Do you have a plan that keeps your credit card spending and debt in control?

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BMDsMommy by BMDsMommy | Montgomery, TX
Apr 05, 2011

I am not going to lie and say that I am debt free...I don't think it is possible in today's economy to be completely debit free. I was unemployed for 9 months and had to pay bills via a credit card, I am now working and paying it down, but it added up fast. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to survive and worry about the other problems later. Thankfully I am in a better situation now...hopefully I will NEVER have to do what I did again!

eyermaer by eyermaer | Cincinnati, OH
Apr 04, 2011

I have something like 5-6 credit cards [one is a store credit card]. If I use the store credit card I pay it off immediately- I only use it for the in store benefits. Of my other 5 credit cards I only use 2- which I recently consolidated into one card with 0% APR for 21 months. I am now only using ONE credit card [the one with lowest APR]. The others I keep in my wallet for emergency only...but I never use. I have credit cards that have been open for 5 years that I've never used. It boosts my credit score to have available credit that I do not use. It's all about discipline- if you don't have it, don't spend it. :)

sharman421 by sharman421 | TALLAHASSEE, FL
Apr 02, 2011

People need to start listening to Dave Ramsey!!!!

mardel by mardel | SCHAUMBURG, IL
Mar 24, 2011

Our economy is very scary at this point that people need credit cards to survive! With no real income coming in so many people need to find a way to survive! Our government I believe is in fault. They need to fix our economy and stop spending the peoples money on things that are not necessary!

Von411 by Von411 | El paso, TX
Mar 24, 2011

This report is very interesting. With the economy the way it is, well it just keeps going in a vicious circle. You try and save and not use the cards, but something comes up medically necessary and so forth and the bill just keeps climbing..