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How much debt would you pay off? Don't really see the point in saving at the moment...

10 replies

Hopefully · 08/01/2009 10:02

With interest rates as they are, saving seems a little pointless.

We have all of our debt on a 0% credit card, so is isn't earning any interest, but obviously is still hanging over our heads (we are paying it off at a reasonable rate, it's not remotely crippling, just annoying).

We have about 2 month's income in an ISA in case of emergency, which made sense to keep rather than using it to pay off the debts when it was earning a reasonable interest, but as the interest falls it seems less and less useful.

So, would you keep the savings, pay off the debt (the savings will pay off about 2/3 of the debt), use 1 month's income worth of savings to pay off the debt, or leave everything exactly as it is?

DP has a good job, although in current climate, who knows how secure anything is, and I am on maternity leave, but could go back if anything happened to DP's job. Will probably be going back part time (if they'll let me) in September. My job is about as secure as anyone's, so not toooooo worried about that (but again, who knows in current financial situation!)

OP posts:
Hopefully · 08/01/2009 10:02

Sorry, 'use 1 month's income worth of savings to pay off some of the debt'.

OP posts:
FiveGoMadInDorset · 08/01/2009 10:06

If you are not paying any interest, I would keep the ISA, as you said you never know what will happen.

LoveBeingAMummyKissingSanta · 08/01/2009 12:11

personally would keep some savings just in case it boiler blows up, car needs repairs etc but defo up the payments to the credit card even if just an extra £10-20 per mth

trixymalixy · 08/01/2009 13:50

I would keep the savings.

funnypeculiar · 08/01/2009 13:53

If it's only 2 months savings, I'd keep it, since you're not paying anything on the debt - as others have said in case of car problem/boiler carnage etc etc. Although I can really understand your desire to pay off all your debt! Maybe just pay off some (a hundred or so?) to make you feel better. Or, if you've got a mortgage and your rate is coming down, use the excess money and pay it st into the cc?

Hopefully · 08/01/2009 18:03

Have decided to keep the savings, and use my extra bit of pay I'll get this month (minor cock up on my maternity pay, so get a couple of hundred quid extra this month) to put towards the debt to make myself feel better.
We are actually paying it off reasonably quickly (considering the amount of time it took to accumulate with DP and my lavish student lifestyles!), I just get impatient and want it cleared...

OP posts:
ssd · 08/01/2009 19:59

good idea

midlandsmumof4 · 09/01/2009 00:58

Pay off as much as you can whilst the rate is at 0% & consider paying off the balance from your savings. Then pay as much back into your savings acount as you can.

HolyGuacamole · 09/01/2009 01:11

Agree Midlandsmum.

countingto10 · 09/01/2009 14:19

It's good to have at least 3 months income in savings to cover emergencies etc. Your DH could become ill and be on basic sickpay eg.

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