Save or Pay-Down Credit Card
Should I keep my savings or pay-down my credit card?
I have a little debt a House, 2 Cars, and 1 Credit Card with $12,000.00 @ 4% interest no additional fees. I have very little savings only $3,500.00. Should I take this $3,500.00 and make a payment on my Credit Card or should I keep my savings and just start making payments on my Credit Card? Starting Jan 1st I will be making 1,200.00 a month payments on my Credit Card to get it Paid in Full. Please advise what to do with my $3,500.00. Thanks
If $3,500 is your only savings, make the minimum payment on your credit card this month and hang onto your savings. I suggest this because a good general rule to follow is to have 30% or 50% of your monthly earnings as in a savings account. This savings should be set aside for emergencies and unexpected expenses.
See the no-cost Bills budget guide for more personal finance tips and advice.
I hope this information helps you Find. Learn & Save.
Best,
Bill
www.bills.com/
Struggling with debt?
Debt is used to buy a home, pay for bills, buy a car, or pay for a college education. According to the NY Federal Reserve total household debt as of Q4 2023 was $17.503 trillion. Auto loan debt was $1.607 trillion and credit card was $1.129 trillion.
According to data gathered by Urban.org from a sample of credit reports, about 26% of people in the US have some kind of debt in collections. The median debt in collections is $1,739. Student loans and auto loans are common types of debt. Of people holding student debt, approximately 10% had student loans in collections. The national Auto/Retail debt delinquency rate was 4%.
Collection and delinquency rates vary by state. For example, in Alabama, 15% have student loan debt. Of those holding student loan debt, 9% are in default. Auto/retail loan delinquency rate is 7%.
Avoiding collections isn’t always possible. A sudden loss of employment, death in the family, or sickness can lead to financial hardship. Fortunately, there are many ways to deal with debt including an aggressive payment plan, debt consolidation loan, or a negotiated settlement.
