Pay off Credit Cards first or Auto Loan?

@ Silly Goose: The reason why I said that an auto loan is not good is because from my history of having been a closing coordinator for a home builder (1992-1995), the closing of a home generally crashed big time if the new buyers decided at the last minute to purchase a car. They would have to be re-qualified, and sometimes the closing was stopped.

I also have been paying down debt at a rate of $300/month and saving at $250/month. By my numbers, I should have all debts paid down and $30k saved by January 2015.

I have taken your wisdom in mind when you mentioned to have some of these issues cleared up about 90 days before applying for a mortgage, so I will enter that information into my strategy. Thanks!

@ Love Big Words: With your Dave Ramsey advise to consider, that would mean that I should not have a loan greater than $110k (15 yr @ 2.25% rate). I don't think I would qualify for as good as 2.25% because my ex bruised my credit by being behind on the mortgage that he inherited from the divorce. He cried poor, so I didn't push him to refinance, which would have taken my name off the note. Regardless of that, when he started slipping in late 2009, I found out and contacted the mortgage company. They were able to make note and not ding my credit after that, but some of the credit agencies still have my name attached to the note, even though no negative.

Yes, I have to contact the 3 credit masters, and forward to them a copy of my divorce decree. My bad there, but in any case, I intend to go with my old mortgage company because they would most readily accept my history and would work with me (I believe) better than just any company AND they service their own loans (my ex's lo

(my ex's loan and mine was from 1985; refinanced so won't be clear until Sept 2022; both with the same company).

The thing about it is that I can't just put all the cash into the loan purchase because no matter which home I get (whether from a builder or private home owner), it will cost me extra. The extra cash will go toward emergency fixit funds, but mostly to re-vamp the following:

2 Entrances/Exits doorways, ramps (smooth transition in and out)

At least one bath area must be for a roll-in wheelchair use

Toilets need to be set along one side for ease in getting up & down

Hallways need to be widened and/or knock down walls

Walls, frames of doors and doors need to be constructed or protected with metal (wheelchairs are rough and tough)

No carpeting whatsoever

Kitchen areas & Utility room must be very open - no galley design, no awkward doorways

And that's what I think of just sitting here!

PS - I come across Dave Ramsey, Susie Orman and Clark Howard all the time, and

and their words of wisdom are very appreciated and considered in what I do.

Everyone gave good answers; all had good points. I'll leave this to the Yahoo Community to choose the *BEST* one. Good luck!