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should I pay off my credit cards or build an emergency fund first?

Update:

my credit cards are about 24% APR. My savings account only pays 1.9% APY. Dave Ramsey recommends getting $1k in savings before tackling debt. Since my interest rates are high, do you think I should pay off my credit cards first, I could always use them in an emergency

10 Answers

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  • 2 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Pay off your credit cards.so that additional interest does not accrue and your credit score goes up.

  • 2 years ago

    Well, according to me, the best thing to do would be paying off your credit card. It is so easy to get into debts nowadays. I have friends who have found themselves having to settle very large fees at the end of the month. So, to avoid such issues, I always advise people to clear their cards as soon as possible. Personally, I do not use mine much. I opt for the payment services offered by https://www.digitalgp.co.uk/ or for my debit card whenever possible. I find these solutions less worrisome. Once you pay off your card, you will not have to be concerned about interest issues and you can start building your emergency funds. This will also improve your credit score.

    Alternatively, you can also try to do both at the same time. Transfer some money into your savings and then use the rest to settle the credit card bill. Have a look at the following article, it might convince you to pay off your debt: https://www.thebalance.com/reasons-to-pay-off-debt... . Hope that helps you.

  • 2 years ago

    That's a tough choice. Maybe consider doing both and set up a monthly budget. How deep in credit? How much of an emergency fund? These are pretty big factors in deciding.

  • Anonymous
    2 years ago

    build an emergency fund first it's possible to declare bankruptcy on credit cards in certain situations

  • ?
    Lv 7
    2 years ago

    Pay off the credit cards. The fact that you could charge more on the cards if you had to means paying them off also builds an emergency fund (sorta) and saves you 20% interest every year. Once they are paid off then start building a real emergency fund.

  • 2 years ago

    Cards first, as fast as you can.

  • Anonymous
    2 years ago

    Pay it off. .........................

  • Anonymous
    2 years ago

    Paying off 24% debt is a guaranteed return of about 2% per month. Even very good professional money managers cannot average that kind of guaranteed return.

  • Anonymous
    2 years ago

    If it were me, I'd concentrate on paying off the cards first.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    2 years ago

    Do both. Put some of your extra cash in an emergency fund and the rest on your credit cards. The goal would be to lessen your use of the credit cards.

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