“Dear Steve,
I have $5000 credit card debt on one card with 11.9% APR. This debt has hovered around the 4500 to 5000 amount for about a year, as I have been paying off the minimum monthly payment each month, but have been hit with fees.
My question is: I just received a $5000 bonus from work. Is it best (at least for my credit score) to just pay off the credit card debt all at once, or is it better to pay off the debt with the bonus check gradually (say $1000 a month)?
Dave”
The Answer:
Dear Dave,
If you have at least $2,000 in a savings account to use as an emergency fund then just pay off the debt. If you don’t have an emergency fund then use $3,000 to pay down the debt and put $2,000 in savings.
Whatever the minimum monthly payment is this month, make that each month till the rest of the debt is paid. Don’t get addicted to minimum payment crack. It is not designed to get you out of debt.
If you have a credit or debt question you’d like to ask just use the online form. I’m happy to help you totally for free.