This year I am really dedicating myself to becoming financially free. Since Dec I have already paid off $1200 and exhausted my savings account by doing so. I have automatic payments set up monthly and plan on increasing them in the next few months when one of the lower credit cards are paid off.
I also go to college and do not have a car, so not having a car really helps. I make about $35K pre-tax a year and really want to save money as well and go on a vacation.
If youre an optimist, how soon do you think it could be done?
This year? or do you think in 2008? I really want to pay this off but i dont want to deny myself a real vacation as well.
2007-02-15 10:05:53 · 11 answers · asked by Cynthia 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
If you are single and your rent is reasonable you should be able to save at least $10,000 a year.
2007-02-15 10:10:09 · answer #1 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would shoot for 2008.
The problem isn't how fast your are paying off the credit cards as much as how much interest you have to pay. You have to pay off the interest before you can pay off the principle, that's how credit card companies make their money. Since your interest is leaved and compounded ever month that makes credit cards the worst way to borrow money (all the banks say this, but they don't offer you an alternative).
If you have had the card for a while then you should talk with the credit card company and ask them to reduce your rates. Even if they only reduce it a few points it can make a big difference.
Once you have the debt paid off you don't want to fall right back into debt. You need to build up your savings account and you must save enough money to take your trip and be able to pay off your credit card bills when you get them, thus avoiding having to pay more interest.
I think you should plan on a nice vacation in the summer of 2008, assuming that you don't have any financial disasters that you depleted savings can't handle. If you do then you will need to resort to your credit card again.
Since you haven't told us the rate that you are paying interest on your card or how much you monthly payments are I can't give you exact figures. As for this summer I suggest you rent a car and take a few days to drive around and visit another nearby town over a long weekend. That may not be enough, but you really can't afford anything more.
2007-02-15 18:19:47 · answer #2 · answered by Dan S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Figure out how much you could save each month if you had no debt. Then send 1/2 of that minimum to pay off debt and 1/2 to savings.
You will be feeling good on both counts.
To pay off your debt in 2 years would be about $400 per month. Can you do that & save $400 per month?
2007-02-15 18:12:13 · answer #3 · answered by Tim P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you bust your butt you can pay probably pay it off in 2007. You would have to make payments of about $700 to the credit card companies (or whoever) every month. If you can do that and still pay your rent, great. If not, set your sights a little lower.
2007-02-15 18:12:12 · answer #4 · answered by great2bealive85 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. With your yearly income and given the fact that you do not have a vehicle, I think you have a good chance to pay off debt this year. It also depends on how you spend your income now. If you concentrate on paying bills after your expenses before doing any other spending you should be fine.
2007-02-15 18:22:59 · answer #5 · answered by Mrs. Morality 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
honestly, it depends on your cash flow. Map out your revenue/income stream and you debt requirements. I understand getting out of debt, but how you do it is important. I see you have exhausted your saving and that is not good. Despite what anyone tells you, you must save cash for yourself for a rainy day. if you need cash now, what will you do but have to charge everything, and fall back in a debt trap. more importantly than paying thing off fast. make sure you can buy everything else cash.
2007-02-15 18:11:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As an optimist, I say six months after you start a part time job delivering pizza. I will be applying to every pizza place within 5 mile tomorrow. I have $12,000 to pay off.
2007-02-15 19:28:01 · answer #7 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well that is a lot of money but do not worry a bout it, just consolidate your debts and make a single payment every months. and maybe you will take that holly day.
2007-02-15 18:23:32 · answer #8 · answered by tonker26 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
win the lottery, and go on vacation tomorrow, pay your debts off when you get home
2007-02-15 18:09:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
14 months if you keep up the good work.
2007-02-15 18:09:03 · answer #10 · answered by Akbar B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋