| You are here: | About>Business & Finance>Credit / Debt Management> Reducing Debt> Analyzing Your Ratio - What Your Debt To Income Ratio Means |
![]() | Credit / Debt Management |
How To Calculate Your Debt To Income RatioWhat Your Debt To Income Ratio MeansYour final result will fall into one of these categories. 36% or less is the healthiest debt load for the majority of people. Avoid incurring more debt to maintain a good ratio. 37%-42% isn't a bad place to be. If your ratio falls in this range, you should start reducing your debts. 43%-49% is a ratio that indicates likely financial trouble. Start paying your debts now to prevent an overloaded debt situation. 50% or more is a dangerous ratio. You should be aggressively paying off your debts. Don't hesitate to seek professional help. ExampleIn our example, Sam's debt to income ratio is 38.5%. This isn't a bad ratio, but it could become worse if Sam increases his monthly debt payments without increasing his income.
<< Previous | Next |
|
All Topics | Email Article | | | ![]() |
| Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | Help | Our Story | Be a Guide |
| User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | ©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved. |


