Should You Save or Pay Off Debt First?

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Question:

❓Which should come first—saving or paying off debt?

A) Throw every extra dollar at the debt
B) Build a full year of savings first
C) Start with one month of expenses in savings, then tackle high-interest debt
D) Split money evenly between everything

Answer:

✅ C) Start with one month of expenses in savings, then tackle high-interest debt

Start with about one month of expenses in savings, then attack high-interest debt—that order keeps you from reaching for the card again the next time life happens.

After the cushion, pay down anything with a high rate (about 8% or more) while keeping minimums on lower-rate balances. Here’s why the other moves fall short:

  • Throw every dollar at the debt: without a cushion, the next surprise bill goes right back on the card—you spin your wheels.
  • Build a full year of savings first: too slow; you pay a lot of interest while you wait.
  • Split money evenly: feels balanced, but it waters down progress on both.

Build the one-month buffer, kill the high-interest debt, then grow your emergency fund and start investing with confidence.

Learn exactly where each dollar goes first inside The World Changers Network.

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