Which bill should I pay right now?

Question

I know they always say to pay off the credit card/loan with the highest interest rate. In my case, if I have $1,100 to spend, should I pay off a loan that has a balance of $600 (7.9% interest) and put the remainder toward another bill OR should I use the whole $1,100 and put toward a loan/credit card that has a higher interest rate with also a much higher balance (thousands). I just don't think it would even put a dent in the higher interest debt. what do you think?

mind you, I have several with balances in the thousands

Answer 1

the idea is to close your accounts slowly, if you use the entire amont towards the bigger bill, you will still be left with two outstanding bills accumilating interest. I would bay off the small one completely and use the rest of the money to start paying off the big one Good luck!

Answer 2

First of all you sound like you have too much debt. Firstly put the money toward the highest interest if that is all you need to do but I suggest you bring your debts as close to 75% of the present lines of credit as you can. Then go to a bank or credit union and try and get a line of credit at a much lower rate and pay out all your present cards. Now the big one. Stop spending and get rid of your debt. Credit cards should only be used when you have the money available to clear them on a monthly basis. Your credit will thank you with a higher beacon or fico score and you will have a happier life. Good luck.

Answer 3

Logically, it makes good sense to pay it toward the card with the highest interest rate.

However, having been in a similar position a couple of years ago, I decided to pay off one with the smallest balance completely and put the excess toward the one with the highest interest rate.

I did it that way because it felt so good not to be getting that one extra bill each month. And frankly, the one with the smallest balance was also the one that was the biggest pain in the backside to deal with (everything about them made my skin crawl -- from their scam "offers" and bogus "opt out" schemes to the way they kept changing their payment address so you'd be likely to mail it to the wrong spot if you weren't paying close attention, thus making your payment late, natch.)

The sheer aggrevation factor made it worthwhile for me. And while there was only a $600~ balance on that card, it was the best freakin' $600 I EVER spent to get rid of those vultures.

And good luck, whatever you decide. At least you know you're making progress when a "spare" $1,100 is no longer something you consider spending money.

Answer 4

Pay the smaller debt off and eliminate the monthly bill,. Destroy the card if it is a credit card.. Don't close the account, it will lower your score! The only reason I would close the account is if you have an annual fee. Then start applying the payment you normalley make on the smaller card to the one with the larger interest rate. :)

Answer 5

Pay the smaller in full, destroy the card, close the account. use the excess towards the large bill.

Suppose you accidentally missed a payment on that small bill. Zing, $35.00 late penalty. You save a stamp once a month too.

Answer 6

Pay off the smaller of the two first.

Then you'll be able to double your payments on the other loan.

Answer 7

Although it won't make you feel as good--because you won't see a huge difference--pay on the card with the higher interest.

Answer 8

put it in the one with the highest interest rate, unless the bill is so high that you have no intention of ever paying it off..

Answer 9

yes pay the 600 dollars of first then use the money left over and pay the min on your other bills

Answer 10

i would knock one out and hope to keep it that way.