Ready for Week 17 of our Debt Free Challenge! The assignments are pretty much already handed out so you should be working on them. We’ll continue with weekly encouragement posts and budgeting/financial help so you can stay on track!!!
When it comes to paying down credit cards, there is much debate around whether it is best to pay off those with the higher interest rate first or if you should pay off those with the lower balance instead. It can be very confusing to know what to do. I’ll share what I do (and recommend) and the reasons why.
When you owe on your credit cards, your interest keeps compounding and that increases the amount you owe. I am sure you keep sending in the minimum (or even trying to send in a little more) to each card. Here is an analogy for you:
If you have a large fire going and dump a cup of water on it, you will do nothing. You might make the flames go down for a minute, but they will return (usually stronger than ever). You have to figure out a way to really tackle it and get it under control.
However, if you dump a bucket of water on that same fire, you may not put it out completely, but you will probably make it smaller. If you throw two or three more buckets it, you can actually extinguish it.
The same hold true with credit card debts. When you make small, minimum payments you are throwing cups of water on a fire. However, if you send in a larger amount, you can actually pay it off much more quickly. But of course, you can’t send in larger amounts to everyone at once, so you have to prioritize.
There is a lot of discussion about paying down higher interest rate cards first or those with a lowered balance first. I recommend a lowered balance. When you can actually pay off a credit card completely, it gives you a sense of accomplishment. Suddenly, you feel like you can actually do this. This is what is called the Debt Snowball.
In many instances, the card with the highest interest rate can also list one of your highest balances. That means it can take a lot longer to get that one paid down and you may lose your drive and desire to keep at it. It takes much longer to see results. Plus, if it takes you 2 years to pay down one card, when, in that same time, you could have paid off 2 other bills, you might end up paying more in interest anyhow. It can place you into an endless cycle.
Whichever way you decide to tackle those credit cards, it is good that you are doing just that. While there is no such thing as good debt, credit card debt is the worst debt. One day you will be able to live a debt free life — and it will be the most amazing feeling in the world!
**Please, if you have recently paid off another debt, share with us! You can report every single debt — so that we can have an accurate amount reflected!! As a reminder, the survey is completely anonymous – there is truly no way for me to know who you are at all. You can share your amount you have PAID OFF HERE.
(I am not a financial advisor and the information listed within these Debt Challenge posts is not to be construed a financial advice. This is knowledge we gained through our own personal experiences and information as outlined in Dave Ramsey’s Financial Makeover — and is being shared as such. Participants are not required to follow any steps listed if they do not wish to do so. Financial concerns/issues should be addressed with a professional in order to receive advice and assistance.)
New to the site? Catch up on all of our previous lessons and join us for the 2012 Debt Free Challenge!!
Tracie is a stay at home mom to three young children; ages 4, 6 and 8 in Raymore, Missouri. In November 2007, she and her husband decided to eliminate their debt and made many changes in their lifestyle to do just that.
In 27 months, they eradicated over $37,000 in debt through both budgeting and learning how to live a frugal life. She now shares her knowledge in order to help you stretch your hard-earned dollars so you can live the life you want.