Debt Dumpers 2025

[trenty]

Thanks everyone. I also posted in the budgeting group on Facebook. And the majority of responses on there was to pay off the CCs then rebuild the EF. Then if we have an emergency before the EF is rebuilt, we can use the CC to deal with the emergency. They're saying that because the amount of money I'd be saving on interest by paying off the CC is more than the amount of money I'd be getting on interest from the EF. I know what DR says, but what are your thoughts on that?

The Dave Ramsey plan works largely because it is based on changing financial behavior rather than just optimizing mathematical formulas. You need to decide if Ramsey is a plan you want to embrace.

 

[comicguy]

I finally hit $1k for my emergency fund. So I've got some questions.

Right now, it's just sitting in a regular checking account at our current bank that we have access to on our mobile app. Should I just leave it there? It's just a checking account like our other 3 and doesn't bring in any interest. But there's also no fees or penalties should we need to draw from it in an emergency or should we need it to make ends meet at the end of the month. Or should I look into a HYSA or other savings account whether through my current bank or another bank?

My next question is this, should I just use the $1k to pay off my 2 CCs (about $800 total) then use the $60/month I would be paying on the CCs back into the savings account? It will take me about 12 months to build it back up to $1k, but I would have my CCs paid off (I wouldn't close them since it would help build my credit score). However, we'd be in trouble should something happen like a dishwasher going out, etc.

First, congrats on hitting 1k e-fund. That takes some work to get there during debt payoff. I would suggest that you use a seperate account to house your e-fund that may take a couple of days to access it (online or a bank/Credit union that is a bit out of the way). It will give you enough pause to think about why you need it and most things can be charged and paid off within a week if needed by having the e-fund available. (blown tire, cracked winsheild, etc...)

I will say we struggled with the same dilema when we started out, but having that 1k avaiilable saved us a couple of times (blown tire, new exhaust, etc...). Once used it needs to rebuild it back up before restating debt pay down. It was a lifesaver for us! Now that you have the 1k e-fund I would direct the money you used ot get it there to you CC payoff, yes, you will pay some intrest but having an e-fund is worth the peace of mind if needed so you don't get back into an endless cycle of charging (very easy to fall back into (happened to us when starting out as well).

Best advice on using an e-fund, ask yourself, Is is this a tue emergency? Can my life function without doing repair, replace, buy, or pay for item/service needed? Can I get by waiting to fix/replace item (if not safety/health related)? How will this impact my payoff goals? Is it important to me? Obviuosly only you can answer these questions when the time comes, but it helps you determine how and when your e-fund needs to be used.

Again, Congrats and continued good luck moving forward

 

[Nettlelondon]

I finally hit $1k for my emergency fund. So I've got some questions.

Right now, it's just sitting in a regular checking account at our current bank that we have access to on our mobile app. Should I just leave it there? It's just a checking account like our other 3 and doesn't bring in any interest. But there's also no fees or penalties should we need to draw from it in an emergency or should we need it to make ends meet at the end of the month. Or should I look into a HYSA or other savings account whether through my current bank or another bank?

My next question is this, should I just use the $1k to pay off my 2 CCs (about $800 total) then use the $60/month I would be paying on the CCs back into the savings account? It will take me about 12 months to build it back up to $1k, but I would have my CCs paid off (I wouldn't close them since it would help build my credit score). However, we'd be in trouble should something happen like a dishwasher going out, etc.

Well done, I bet a few months ago it seemed like you would never get there.

Leave it where it is but be disciplined. You have shown yourself what you can do, just keep it up. Whatever the source of the funds you have been able to divert to the emergency fund can now be applied to the credit cards and get those knocked out.

Interest savings are fine and dandy but it is more important for you to get comfortable with a new way of living with money and I think you will gain more comfort from knowing that you have a cushion between you and the vagaries of the world than saving a few dollars in interest (that you probably won't notice).

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

My next question is this, should I just use the $1k to pay off my 2 CCs...

You had this same scenario exactly one year ago today. Here's your answer to your own question: "So much for an EF. Now I wish I had that $700 back I used to pay off my CC. I was stupid and paid off my CC instead of putting that into an EF."

https://www.disboards.com/threads/debt-dumpers-2024.3936118/post-65764009

It will take me about 12 months to build it back up to $1k...

The real question is, "What was the source of the $1000?" You were somehow able to save $1000 in less than a month, but it would take a year to save the same amount of money again? Something isn't adding up here. It doesn't sound like you were able to increase income or decrease expenses to gain ongoing monthly margin, which is the real issue.

My concern is that some or all of the $1000 is simply a one-time windfall or paycheck that just came in, which hasn't been properly budgeted for the rest of the month's expenses yet.