<prompt> Human: Using a throwaway account here...I make 45,500 a year and have 5,000 in credit card debt. Ive read the average American has about 15,000 in CC debt. Should I be worried about how much CC debt I am carrying? I dont pay off the two cards each month, but I do pay more than the minimum balance. Just wondering if Ive got myself into a hole here and should be worried, or if Im okay and should just keep paying them down. Any advice is appreciated, thanks!  <response>: That five grand will cost you almost another 6 grand in interest and take 22 years to pay off at 14apr if you make only the minimum payment.Credit cards are not for carrying debt, period. They are not your friend. Carrying a balance on your card is a suckers game. Pay it off asap. 