Many of us have been spending big in the lead up to Christmas, perhaps ticking up a few credit card bills along the way. But according to 2021 data, Australia is now reported to have some of the highest personal debt levels in the world - even outside of the Christmas season.
The Mamamia Money Survey reflects a pretty similar attitude. According to the survey data, 68 per cent of respondents said they have debt in some capacity.
So, we decided to ask those respondents to share their debt stories and current circumstances. We have also pieced their completely candid and anonymous responses together with a little intel on their income, job and lifestyle.
Here's what they had to say.
Watch: 5 money lessons your parents told you, that you should probably forget. Post continues below.
How much debt do you have currently?
A 33-year-old lawyer working in the resources industry earning $111,000 per year, currently has $90,000 sitting in her savings. She is living in a share house and tries to add $2,000 into her savings each month, but she's also paying off her remaining $14,000 of HECS/HELP debt.
A 34-year-old teacher earning $103,000 per year, is married and living with her partner, has a mortgage of $650,000.
A 20-year-old editorial assistant in the media sector earning $55,000 per year, is single and living with friends, has a HECS debt totalling $73,650.
A 35-year-old acting executive officer earning $70,000 per year, is married and living with her partner, has Afterpay debt, credit card debt, HECS debt, a car finance loan all totalling $100,000.
A 31-year-old senior associate earning $215,000 per year, is single and living alone, has a HECS debt totalling $112,000.
A 26-year-old secondary school teacher earning $80,000 per year, is in a relationship and living with friends, has a mortgage of $380,000.
A 35-year-old financial services specialist earning $130,000 per year, is single and living alone, has a car finance loan, HECS debt and a mortgage totalling $300,000.
Listen to What The Finance: Are you ready to buy a house? Post continues after audio.
A 53-year-old senior account manager earning $72,000 per year, is single and living with her children, has an Afterpay debt of $1,000.
A 26-year-old admin worker in the agriculture sector earning $80,000 per year, is in a relationship and living alone, has a HECS debt totalling $35,000, as well as a $10,000 car finance loan to pay off.
A 36-year-old content manager earning $97,000 per year, is in a relationship and living her partner, has a car finance loan of $2,400, and a $421,000 mortgage.
A 35-year-old marketing director in the technology sector earning $215,000 per year, is married and living with her partner, has a total mortgage of $1.9 million, spread across three investment properties.
A 32-year-old assistant principal earning $150,000 per year, is married and living with her partner, has a credit card debt totalling $500.
A 30-year-old team admin assistant in the insurance sector earning $79,000 per year, is married and living with her partner, has a HECS debt totalling $20,000 and a $900,000 mortgage.
A 42-year-old sales administrator earning $60,000 per year, is married and living with her partner, has a HECS debt totalling $8,000, a car finance loan of $20,000 and a $340,000 mortgage.
A 35-year-old teacher earning $145,000 per year, in a relationship and living alone, has a HECS debt totalling $9,000, Afterpay debt of $200 and a credit card debt of $100.
A 32-year-old gardener earning $55,000 per year, is married and living with her partner, has a mortgage totalling $2 million.
A 42-year-old health promotion officer earning $65,000 per year, is married and living with her partner, has a mortgage totalling $780,000.
A 29-year-old teacher earning $56,000 per year, is married and living with her partner, has a mortgage totalling $1.4 million.
A 29-year-old registered nurse earning $92,000 per year, is married and living with her partner, has a $765,000 mortgage and a credit card debt totalling $1,000.
A 48-year-old communications manager in the PR sector earning $114,000 per year, in a relationship and living with her partner, has an Invisalign payment debt of $3,000.
A 29-year-old psychologist earning $115,000 per year, in a relationship and living with her partner, has a credit card debt of $7,000 and a HECS debt totalling $78,000.
Do you have a money story you'd like to share with Mamamia? Be a part of our 'What My Salary Gets Me' or 'Debt Diaries' series by sending an email to submissions@mamamia.com.au.
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