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Kid's US Finance & Tax Guide
4. Cards and Borrowing/Good Debt vs. Bad Debt
4. Cards and Borrowing Illustration
Syllabus Slides

Good Debt vs. Bad Debt

01.Not All Debt is Equal

Is borrowing money always bad? Not necessarily! Financial planners split debt into two categories: good debt and bad debt. Good debt is borrowing money to buy something that will help you earn more money or increase in value in the future.

02.Good Debt Examples

A mortgage to buy a home is usually good debt because homes often grow in value over time. A student loan to pay for college is good debt because it helps you get a better job with a higher paycheck. These are investments in your future!

03.Bad Debt Pitfalls

Bad debt is borrowing money to buy things that lose value quickly or that you don't really need. Using a credit card to buy expensive clothes, toys, or vacations that you can't afford is bad debt. It costs you interest fees and leaves you with nothing of lasting value.