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                  Calculate Your 
                  Debt-to-Income Ratio 
                  
                  (Click here for a printable version) 
                  Use this guide to calculate your debt-to-income ratio: 
 
                    
                      | Monthly mortgage or rent | 
                      $ | 
                     
                    
                      | Minimum monthly credit card payments  | 
                      $ | 
                     
                    
                      | Monthly car loan payment  | 
                      $ | 
                     
                    
                      | Other loan obligations  | 
                      $ | 
                     
                    
                      |   | 
                        | 
                     
                    
                      | Total monthly debt 
                      payments | 
                      $ | 
                     
                   
                  
                    
                      | Monthly gross salary  | 
                      $ | 
                     
                    
                      | Other monthly income  | 
                      $ | 
                     
                    
                      | Monthly alimony received  | 
                      $ | 
                     
                    
                      |   | 
                        | 
                     
                    
                      | Total monthly income $ | 
                      $ | 
                     
                     
                  
                    
                      | 
                      Debt divided by 
                      Income  = % ratio | 
                       
                     
                  
                    - 36% or less: This is an ideal debt load to carry for most 
                  people. Showing that you can control your spending in relation 
                  to your income is what lenders are looking for when evaluating 
                  if you are credit-worthy.
 
                    - 37% to 42%: Your debts still may seem manageable, but start 
                  paying them down before they begin to spiral out of control. 
                  At this level, credit cards still may be easy to obtain, but 
                  acquiring loans may be more difficult.
 
                    - 43% to 49%: Your debt ratio is high and financial difficulties 
                  may be looming unless you take immediate action.
 
                    - 50% or more: Seek professional help to make plans for 
                  drastically reducing your debt before it becomes a real 
                  problem.
 
                     
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