Perhaps some individuals already in your subprime auto finance portfolio are getting a “wake-up call” this week courtesy of consumer advocates who are orchestrating a financial education program.

Debt Awareness Week began on Monday with officials at Debt.com, a resource for personal finance education, offering expert advice on debt relief, credit counseling, budgeting, and financial planning.

Site experts said they’re committed to helping Americans “achieve financial freedom,” while total outstanding auto-finance balances surpass $1.66 trillion, according to tracking by the Federal Reserve.

“Too many Americans are stuck paying just enough to survive their debt, not escape it,” Debt.com chairman Howard Dvorkin said in a news release. “When households rely on minimum payments, debt quietly becomes a long-term financial trap, and that’s exactly why Debt Awareness Week matters.”

Dvorkin highlighted Debt Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the growing impact of consumer debt and helps Americans understand the true cost of borrowing. Through education, tools, and actionable guidance, the initiative is geared to empower people to move beyond minimum payments and take control of their financial future.

To help consumers take meaningful steps toward financial control, Debt Awareness Week also offers a series of practical 7-Day Action Steps that anyone can start implementing immediately.

Each day focuses on a specific task, from listing debts and identifying interest rates to reviewing spending, calculating your debt-to-income ratio, checking your credit report, and setting short- and long-term debt goals, giving people a clear way to begin improving their finances and understanding their debt picture.

Another part of Debt Awareness Week is Debt.com’s Debt-Free Day Calculator, an interactive tool designed to help consumers visualize how much of their working life is dedicated to paying off debt.

For the average American earning $62,000 annually, experts said that paying off $15,000 in debt would require over three months of full paychecks, assuming every dollar went toward debt and nothing else.

“Our Debt-Free Day Calculator gives users clarity and a true picture of their financial well-being,” Debt.com president Don Silvestri in the news release. “It shows how many days you must work just to pay off debt, and that realization can be powerful.”

How the calculator works:

—Users input total amount of personal debt

—Annual income is factored in

—The calculator converts the results into the number of days needed to work to pay off the debt

—A personalized “Debt-Free Day” displays on a calendar

“It’s a real wake-up call when you realize a significant portion of your year, is spent working just to pay down your debt,” Silvestri said.

As debt levels continue to rise nationwide, experts went on to say Debt Awareness Week underscores the importance of helping consumers understand the true cost of debt and move beyond minimum payments.

“By promoting education and practical tools, the initiative aims to give Americans the clarity they need to take control of their financial future,” they said.