Any advice on a strategy for reducing debt?

Question

My wife and I both have substantial student loans. However, I consolidated mine at 3.5%, but her's were consolidated at 8.25%.

Just to pay her interest is $700/month. My payment is $300, with 1/3 currently going to principle. We also have about $8,000 on credit cards at 10% interest.

Our combined income is about $100,000 annually. Right now, I pay the $350 on my loan each month, and about $1,200 on hers. At that rate, her loan should be paid off in around 8 years.

I just feel like I may need to rethink this approach, as it seems like we make a lot of money, but are not getting anywhere fast against our debt.

Oh, we also have about 75G's in our 401Ks and put away 10% of our salary. We're early 30's. Any thoughts on how to reduce this debt more quickly? Some days it feels like we'd be better off defaulting and going to work at MacDonalds...lol

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to provide such great information. Looks like the theme is to pay off the highest interest debt first, while reducing montly expenses.

I am going to stop overpaying my wife's loan until the credit card debt is gone. Also, I think it's time to track just how much money we spend on food and drink each month! Time to bite the bullet.

Oh yeah....wish I could reconsolidate her loan, but that will take an act of Congress. Not really fair that you can refi your house but not your student loans.

Answer 1

Let's step back and take a reality check. You guys are not in bad financial shape at all. You did what you had to do to get an education. You are young, have 75k in savings and continue to save a good portion of your pay. All great things! If you can continue to lower your debt and save at the same time, you're going to be fine.

Now let's talk about the debt. I'd worry about the credit cards first. They are at the highest interest rate and the "worst" form of debt to have on a credit report. I would focus as much energy on getting rid of that $8k. 10% is not huge interest, but it's not great either. I would then accelerate her loan as much as you can. Can you pay the minimums on yours for a while. 3.5% is like free money. Get rid of hers. If you have a house, you could try to borrow on a line of credit, but the rates would likely be in the 8 range anyway.

The one piece of advice I have is do not stop putting the money in the 401k in order to pay down debt. Yes you would debt free faster, but you lose a great tax benefit, the ability to accumulate interest on pre-tax dollars, and the company match.

Answer 2

First of all, you need a realistic budget. For one month, write down a log of ALL of your spending. At the end of the month, break it down into categories, such as housing, food, clothing, entertainment, etc.

Then, create your budget--but cut the entertainment expenses to no more than 1% of your monthly salaries, and cut the clothing out all together.

Next, get all of your credit card and loan payment information together. Pay the minimum payment on the ones with the lowest interest rate, and begin making double payments on the one with the highest interest rate. Keep doing this as you pay off each creditor.

Credit cards paid off first, then her loan, finally yours. See if you can get her loan reduced.

You are doing great with your savings, but I might cut your 401k down to 8% until you get your debt under control. Please do not borrow from your savings--that will hurt you in the long run.

Oh, I forgot...CUT UP ALL CREDIT CARDS IMMEDIATELY!

Answer 3

There is not any satisfactory wanting finding out to are living inside your approach and paying the debt off. Of the three you indexed, none are well. A debt consolidation mortgage is nugatory except you reduce up the playing cards. Many persons get stated mortgage and the use the playing cards once more. Then they owe much more cash. Credit card help application. If you're speakme approximately operating with the lender, definite, opt for it. Just do not pay any person else to do it for you. Bankruptcy attorney. This isn't a get out of prison price card. This is a determined answer. It tanks your credit score ranking for 7 years. AS IT SHOULD. You borrowed cash and didn't pay it again.

Answer 4

I dont know much about student loans --im a community college student havent needed any yet going to a univ next year tho--- my advice would be pay the biggest payment to the debt with the highest interest first.. that would be the credit cards. How much is your mortgage payment. Do you have car payments? How much do your other bills cost.?

for example me: my bills rent car payment cell phone insurance and utilties for my apartment are around $900.00 and I currently pay $ 200 towards my debt which totals $2000.( credit cards and overdue bills ) that only leaves us around 150 a week for groceries, gas, and extra cash. We get by but also have no children as of yet. I track my daily expenses in a lil notebook everyday i write down what we bought from where and how much it was. It helps to keep you in line if you notice your spending too much on something that is a want. like eating out/entertainment or buying to much clothes thats me!!!!

Heres what you should do Income- Necessary bills
any that is left over Budget an amount for groceries, gas for car, any other weekly expense that is necessary--for me thats quarter for laundry---haha i even budget for quarters--it works.

Make sure you budget a specific amount for entertainment and dont go over. take that amount out in cash. when the cash is gone. wait till next week to go out. My weekly budget for entertainment is 20. we hardly even do that. once you get used to something youd be surprised how little you miss it. besides when we dont spend the 20 we put it towards our debt.what ever money is left pay extra on those credit cards and student loans.

also see if you can refinance your wifes student loans.

i hope this helps. if we can do you guys can defintly do it.. i mean my husband only makes 30,000 a year we pay our own tuition--both of us in school me fulltime him part time and we paying our debt off slowly. sometimes you have to do with less---live below your means--to get your credit back in order. oh yeah then dont use your credit cards---or youll be right back where you started....


good luck to you and your wife.

Answer 5

I'm not an economist or loan expert, but I do have student loans and 8.25 seems really high. I'd look into lowering that rate if you haven't already.

You didn't mention your expenses. That's the first place I look when planning a budget. Cut down some bills. We all have to pay for electricity and all, but sometimes we have unneccessary luxuries, don't we?

Answer 6

I didnt get to read what others wrote, but in my opinion

I'd even put off any retirement (especially 10% income) and pay off all debts ASAP.

Nothing kills like debt interest. 1/3 going to principle is laughable. 8 years? I expect myself to save up $160K in 8 years.

If you make $100K a year, $8K a month, there's no reason why you can't get rid of credit card debt in two months, and cut away the $350, $1200 in half the expected time.

Answer 7

Opt for a bt consolidation loan: The easiest method of getting a debt consolidation loan is to utilize the equity of your home. Equity of your home is calculated and determined by the difference in the amount you have paid and the amount you owe. If the amount you have paid is more than the amount due, you can use it as collateral. This allows you to borrow money on lower interest rates. Besides, you also get tax benefit on this type of loan. Consult your tax advisor before opting for this loan.
http://debt-trap.com/category/Credit-Card-Debt-Consolidation.html