By: John Carter
Prioritizing your debt is the key and one should pay the debt with the higher interest rate. If there is not much interest rate difference, then, it is better to go for the debt which you can get rid easily.
By: Christy S.
Great thoughts! Not too long ago I encountered this very dilemma when I decided to take the leap into my student loan repayment. It wasn't pretty and it was going to take me a LONG time to pay it off, but I ultimately decided the best financial decision was paying off the highest interest rates first. Sure, I don't get that quick gratification that paying off the smaller ones would give but in the end I'll be a happy camper after saving all that interest!
By: Jon Dulin
In reply to <a href="https://compoundingpennies.com/what-debt-should-i-pay-off-first/#comment-13928">Catherine</a>.
I'm going to have to add that option! I love it!
By: Jon Dulin
In reply to <a href="https://compoundingpennies.com/what-debt-should-i-pay-off-first/#comment-14030">Kate @ Money Propeller</a>.
Sounds like a plan! Here's to hoping you pay off the big loan quickly!
By: Jon Dulin
In reply to <a href="https://compoundingpennies.com/what-debt-should-i-pay-off-first/#comment-14104">Hannah @ Wise Dollar</a>.
It comes down to finding what works best for you and your situation.
By: Jon Dulin
In reply to <a href="https://compoundingpennies.com/what-debt-should-i-pay-off-first/#comment-14129">weenie</a>.
Glad you found a strategy that worked for you! I tried the highest interest rate first method, but failed. So I went to the smallest balance first and it worked for me.
By: weenie
When I was paying off my credit cards (initially 3 credit cards), I was paying off the highest interest rate debt off first. This was because I felt that it was soul destroying seeing the amount of interest eroding away the actual amount I was paying off so for me, it made sense for the highest interest rate to go first. Had they all been the same interest rate, I would have gone for the smallest debt first, for the fastest progress.
By: Hannah @ Wise Dollar
The fastest progress would be my choice too. It can help you to pay your debts earlier. But we have different point of view. And your idea too is great. You have a good point.