Carrying installment debt is almost a fact of life. Mortgages home loans car loans, or small business loans are part of almost everyone's life. On the other hand, carrying credit card debt is usually not a good idea.
At interest rates of 16% and up, it's hard to justify keeping savings that could pay off that 18% department-store credit card in the bank at 2%.

Debt and credit play increasingly important roles in our lives. As the aging Baby Boomers get closer to their peak earning years, many are realizing the need to reduce debt and increase savings.

Even though analyzing your spending habits and creating a budget to address your debt may seem a little overwhelming, the simplicity of the philosophy of never spend more than you earn. Once you have come to grips with this basic fact, managing your debt will become far easier and more rewarding.

• Installment debt means the loan is paid off in a specified period of time by making predetermined payments periodically.

• Revolving credit is a line of credit that is instantly available through use of a credit card (and sometimes a check).

• As you pay down your debt in a revolving line of credit, the minimum payment is also reduced, thus extending your payoff period and, consequently, the interest you pay.

• Spending more than you earn in any given period is a dangerous practice at best, but doing it over an extended period of time can be financial suicide.