Why That Question Might Be the Wrong One
Do you sometimes feel no matter how much you’re earning
It still doesn’t seem like enough?
That even when you’re doing “okay” on paper
There’s this weight that doesn’t go away
You’re not imagining it
Debt is part of the deal now
Let’s start with some interesting numbers
Global data shows the average household debt sits somewhere between $12,000 and $15,000 USD per person
But of course, that varies wildly depending on where you live
In the US?
It’s around $59,000 per adult
In Canada?
Closer to $47,000
The UK?
Roughly $40,000
Even countries like Sweden, Australia, and South Korea—different economies, different lifestyles—are carrying large personal debt loads
And in developing nations, the numbers are rising fast
Because credit access is rising fast
So yeah—debt is everywhere
But here’s where I think the conversation gets a little quirky
We hear these figures and assume they’re a reflection of bad decisions
Or lifestyle inflation
Could be lack of discipline
But it’s not always about how people spend
Sometimes it’s just about how people survive
Debt has become the gap filler
It covers the shortfall when wages don’t match housing
When groceries jump but your paycheck doesn’t
When emergencies don’t wait for the right time
And honestly
Most people aren’t getting into debt because they bought something stupid
They got into debt because life kept happening
And they didn’t have the margin to absorb it
Have you noticed this too?
That debt doesn’t always show up as one big mistake
It shows up quietly
Over months
Over years
A little borrowed here
A little deferred there
Until suddenly it’s not just numbers
With a quiet anxiety playing out in the background
And what makes it harder?
People rarely talk about it
They’ll tell you about their job
Their happy vacations
Even their side hustle
But not the credit card they’re hiding
Not the monthly payment they’re juggling
So you end up thinking you’re the only one stuck
When really—everyone’s juggling something
I know what you might be thinking
Isn’t some debt just part of life?
Sure
Mortgages
Student loans
A car to get to work
That’s how a lot of people justify it
But the problem is—when does it stop being manageable
And start becoming a burden you’re building your entire life around?
Because that’s the part no one warns you about
The way debt shapes your decisions
Limits your options
Shrinks your confidence
This isn’t a lecture
And it’s not advice
I’m just saying if you feel weighed down
It might not be because you’re bad with money
It might just be that the math doesn’t work anymore
Not for you
And not for most people
So what’s the takeaway?
Maybe there isn’t one
But I’ll leave you with this:
If debt is becoming the default
Then maybe it’s time we stop treating it like a personal flaw
And start calling it what it is
A quiet consequence
Of living in a world that rarely adds up
Note: This content is for entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
