1. PERSONAL FINANCE

How Depression Might Affect Spending and Debt

How Depression Might Affect Spending and Debt
BY Sara Korn
Jun 22, 2020
 - Updated 
Nov 10, 2024
Key Takeaways:
  • Depression and debt often go hand in hand.
  • Studies show that depression can trigger unhealthy spending.
  • You can't solve your debt problem without solving your depression problem. Professional help is available for both.

Between the coronavirus pandemic, economic crisis, and protests and civil unrest, there’s plenty for Americans to feel anxious and depressed about. But even before these 2020 challenges, anxiety disorders (including depression) affected 40 million adults in the US, which is about 18% of the population. In 2017 alone, 17.3 million adults experienced at least one major depressive episode, representing 7.1% of all U.S. adults.

What many people may not realize is that depression can change how a person spends money and could even impair their ability to do routine financial tasks. This could lead to overspending or debt, which may then become one more source of stress for anyone already struggling emotionally. To help prevent the added stress that this can bring, let’s look further into the connection between depression and spending.

How to recognize depression

People suffering through a major depressive episode experience a state of low motivation and often feel overwhelmed to the point where just getting through the day can seem like an enormous task. Other signs of depression can include:

  • Sadness, depressed mood, inability to enjoy life

  • Loss of interest in daily activities

  • Problems with sleeping (trouble sleeping, or sleeping too much)

  • Changes in eating habits, weight gain or loss

  • Low energy

  • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions

  • Feeling a lack of self-worth

Low mood, low energy, and low motivation all affect how a person approaches their day-to-day activities. It can make money management and long-term financial planning difficult, which may keep you from reaching your financial life goals.

Many of us have a hard time tracking and limiting spending, even when we feel mentally healthy. But for people suffering from depression, their lack of motivation may cause them to put off mundane or difficult financial tasks and their emotions may drive spending. This combination of depression and spending can lead to debt, which creates an even bigger financial burden.

People with depression may be more likely to:

  • Neglect basic financial tasks. Forget about budgeting… even something as simple as setting up automatic payments on a new credit card can easily slip through the cracks on days when you don’t have enough energy to even get out of bed.

  • Pay late fees. Not keeping up with routine tasks, like paying bills, may lead to late fees and negative impacts to credit score.

  • Pay for unused services. When you don’t have the energy to do what it takes to cancel them, subscriptions and memberships may keep getting billed each month unnecessarily.

  • Buy on impulse. When you want a little something new to try to lift your spirits, haven’t planned your long-term financial priorities, or simply don’t have the energy to think before you buy, impulse spending can take over.

  • Pay more for conveniences. Whether it’s paying twice as much for milk at the convenience store instead of the grocery store, not saving money by buying in bulk, or not taking advantage of sales and coupons, little extra costs can add up to a big toll in the long run.

But even if you’re struggling with major depressive disorder, chronic depression, or have developed depression symptoms due to recent events, it doesn’t mean you can’t take control of your life and your money. Below are some ideas and resources to help you get back on your feet and help prevent depression from making your financial situation worse than it has to be.

How to protect your finances from your depression

These suggestions all fall under one umbrella category: Ask for help. Depression can cause a person to feel like they’re all alone and incapable of handling the most basic aspects of living. Even if you have no friends or family to turn to, you can seek assistance from professionals who can help you find the resources you need.

Here’s how to get help managing finances in different areas of your life:

  1. Routine financial tasks. A trusted friend or family member could help you set up things like automated bill pay, direct deposit, and transfers to your savings and retirement accounts.

  2. One-time financial tasks. Did you know you can find electronic help canceling your unused gym membership? You may also want to get help disputing a fraudulent charge on your credit card, researching a big purchase, etc.

  3. Household tasks. If cooking and cleaning are too much to handle, enlist the help of family or look for service providers who can do these tasks for you. Of course, you’ll have to weigh the cost of hiring someone against the cost of paying for conveniences like having food delivered.

How to get help with depression

While financial health is important, caring for your mental health comes first. If you or someone you know might be suffering from depression and needs support, you can call any of the depression hotline numbers below, where you can get advice on the phone (or by chat, if you can’t talk on the phone) and get connected with local treatment professionals.

Patients with depression, and their families, can also find online resources on the American Psychiatric Association website.

How to get help with debt

If you have over $10,000 in unsecured debt that you’re struggling to keep up with, whether it’s due to depression affecting your spending, or any other financial hardship, you may qualify for a debt relief program through Freedom Debt Relief. Contact one of our Certified Debt Consultants to learn about your debt relief options and get help choosing the best solution for your situation.

Learn More:

Debt relief by the numbers

We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking debt relief during September 2024. This data reveals the diversity of individuals seeking help and provides insights into some of their key characteristics.

FICO scores and enrolled debt

Curious about the credit scores of those in debt relief? In September 2024, the average FICO score for people enrolling in a debt settlement program was 581, with an average enrolled debt of $24,531. For different age groups, the FICO scores varied. For instance, those aged 51-65 had an average FICO score of 585 and an enrolled debt of $27,303. The 18-25 age group had an average FICO score of 549 and an enrolled debt of $14,301. No matter your age or debt level, it's reassuring to know you're not alone. Taking the step to seek help can lead you towards a brighter financial future.

Credit card debt - average debt by selected states.

According to the 2023 Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) the average credit card debt for those with a balance was $6,021. The percentage of families with credit card debt was 45%. (Note: It used 2022 data).

Unsurprisingly, the level of credit card debt among those seeking debt relief was much higher. According to September 2024 data, 88% of the debt relief seekers had a credit card balance. The average credit card balance was $15,142.

Here's a quick look at the top five states based on average credit card balance.

StateAverage credit card balanceAverage # of open credit card tradelinesAverage credit limitAverage Credit Utilization
Alaska$18,4937$24,10289%
Connecticut$18,2319$28,79194%
New Jersey$18,1279$27,26191%
Minnesota$17,7448$25,73182%
New Hampshire$17,3338$26,15692%

The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a credit card balance over $0.

Are you starting to navigate your finances? Or planning for your retirement? These insights can help you make informed choices. They can help you work toward financial stability and security.

Regain Financial Freedom

Seeking debt relief can be the first step toward financial freedom. Are you struggling with debt? Explore options for debt relief to regain control of your finances. It doesn't matter how old you are or what your FICO score or credit utilization is. Take the first step towards a brighter financial future today.

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