This report examines the current state of American household debt and the different financial methods available to reduce these liabilities.

本報告旨在探討美國家庭債務的現況，以及可用於減少這些負債的不同財務方法。

Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that the average American household debt reached $154,152 by the end of 2025. This total includes secured loans, such as mortgages, as well as unsecured debts, such as car loans and credit card balances. Because of high inflation and credit card interest rates that remain at record levels, many people have had to adopt various debt-reduction strategies.

紐約聯邦儲備銀行的數據顯示，截至 2025 年底，美國平均家庭債務達到 154,152 美元。此總額包括抵押貸款等擔保貸款，以及車貸和信用卡餘額等無擔保債務。由於高通貨膨脹以及信用卡利率維持在紀錄高位，許多人不得不採取各種減債策略。

There are two main types of professional help: non-profit credit counseling and for-profit debt relief services. Credit counseling agencies, often linked to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), usually charge a fee to set up debt management plans. In contrast, debt relief companies negotiate settlements for unsecured debts, usually requiring a minimum debt of $7,500 to $10,000. These companies ask debtors to stop paying creditors and instead put money into a special savings account, charging fees between 15% and 25% of the total debt. However, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warns that these programs can lead to late penalties, lower credit scores, and legal action. Furthermore, any forgiven debt over $600 is generally treated as taxable income.

專業協助主要分為兩類：非營利信用諮詢和營利性債務減免服務。信用諮詢機構通常與美國國家信用諮詢基金會 (NFCC) 相關聯，通常會收取費用以制定債務管理計劃。相比之下，債務減免公司則協商無擔保債務的結算，通常要求最低債務額為 7,500 至 10,000 美元。這些公司要求債務人停止向債權人付款，而將資金存入一個特殊的儲蓄帳戶，並收取總債務 15% 至 25% 的費用。然而，消費者金融保護局警告，這些計劃可能會導致逾期罰金、信用評分降低以及法律行動。此外，任何超過 600 美元的豁免債務通常被視為應納稅所得額。

Alternatively, individuals can manage their own debt using balance transfer cards or specific repayment plans. Balance transfer cards allow users to move debt to an account with 0% interest for 12 to 21 months, provided they have a credit score of 670 or higher. If the balance is not paid off by the end of this period, high interest rates—averaging 21% in early 2026—will apply. Additionally, people often use the 'debt snowball' method, which focuses on paying the smallest balance first, or the 'debt avalanche' method, which prioritizes the highest interest rate to save money over time.

此外，個人可以使用餘額轉移卡或特定的還款計劃來管理自己的債務。餘額轉移卡允許用戶將債務轉移到一個利率為 0% 的帳戶，期限為 12 至 21 個月，前提是信用評分需達到 670 分或以上。如果在該期限結束前未還清，將適用高利率——2026 年初平均為 21%。此外，人們經常使用「債務滾雪球」法，重點在於先償還金額最小的餘額；或使用「債務雪崩」法，優先處理利率最高的債務，以在長遠中節省資金。

U.S. households are currently using a mix of professional services and personal strategies to manage record-high debt levels during a period of high inflation.

美國家庭目前在高通貨膨脹期間，採取專業服務與個人策略相結合的方法，以應對紀錄高位的債務水平。