DebtWhy I save first before paying off the credit card (and you should too!)

April 21, 2016by Women with Cents

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Stop me if this story is sounding familiar.

Each month you decide to pay off that darn credit card once and for all. You pour as much money as you possibly can onto it, hoping to make a significant dent. And you do, but by the end of the month the credit card balance has climbed right back up again! And so continues the vicious cycle. One step forward, two steps back. Pretty disheartening, right?

Now, there are plenty of blogs out there that will advise you to pay off the credit card first before building up your savings. But not me. No way. And here is why.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section bg_color=”#252525″ parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”false”]Ignore the math[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]
Sure, if you ask your high school maths teacher they will tell you that mathematically speaking paying off the credit card first is absolutely the right thing to do. After all, in the current market your savings are only earning you a measly 2% interest while you pay 15% or more on the credit card. It’s a no brainer, right?

But, as I have said before, there is more to money management than pure math – otherwise, we’d all be rich!

So if you have tried this approach before and it hasn’t worked, let me suggest something different.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”false”]Focus on the science![/x_custom_headline][cs_text class=”cs-ta-left”]
We know that our brain is a pretty amazing and powerful machine. What you may not know is that as you go through life your brain creates new neural pathways as you have different experiences and learn things so that it can operate more efficiently.

What this means for your finances is that when you’re trapped in the cycle of credit card debt you have formed, over time, a strong neural pathway around debt (aka a habit). And each time you use the credit card or you think about that credit card you are strengthening that connection in the brain making the habit harder to break.

What scientists have discovered though is that all hope is not lost and your brain has the ability to re-train or ‘rewire’ itself! This is called Neuroplasticity (and if you are after some interesting reading material I highly recommend Dr Norman Doidge’s book “The Brain that Changes Itself”).
[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section bg_color=”#252525″ parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”false” style=”color: rgb(255, 140, 0);”]So, how do you “re-train” your brain?[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]You need to stop thinking about debt, and start thinking about SAVING.

What that will do is start to shift your focus and your habit from “debt” to “saving”. You want to form a new habit, and experts suggest you need about 21 days of consistent behaviour to do that. So over those 21 days, each time you decide NOT to use your credit card, each time you prioritise SAVING over SPENDING you are strengthening those new neural pathways.

But to make sure you have really made the change I suggest giving yourself a longer timeframe.

Instead of 3 weeks I want you to give yourself a goal of saving for at least 3 months (or however long it will take you to save up one month’s worth of living expenses). And while you do that, keep up with the minimum repayments on your credit card.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”false” style=”color: rgb(255, 140, 0);”]Let’s build up some emergency savings![/x_custom_headline][cs_text]
Why?

Neuroplasticity aside, you need some emergency savings, especially while you still have debt. This is because you need to make sure that if you suffer a loss of income or any unexpected bills arise you are able to afford to meet your loan repayments and are not putting yourself into even further debt as a result of a temporary setback.

Although I normally suggest my clients have 3 months of living expenses saved up for emergencies, while you still have credit card debt let’s go for 1 month first, and save up the remainder after the card (and any other personal loans) is paid off.

By doing this, not only will you be building up a nice little buffer, you will also be teaching yourself how to be a saver instead of a spender![/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section bg_color=”#252525″ parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 25px 0px 0;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”false” style=”color: rgb(255, 140, 0);”]So here is what you do…[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]
Step 1: Cut up the credit card (or freeze it, ask a friend to hide it, whatever works!)
Step 2: Calculate your monthly expenses and decide how much you need to save
Step 3: Set a goal and timeframe for saving 1 month of living expenses
Step 4: Set up a direct debit into an online savings account
Step 5: No matter what, do not use the credit card!
Step 6: Watch your savings start to grow!
Step 7: Once you have reached your goal of 1 month living expenses you should have by now established a new habit, and have formed a new budget you can manage to sustain. So from this point, change your direct debit transfer from going to your saving account to the credit card until that debt is cleared. Then continue saving!

If you have more than one credit card – focus on paying off the card with the smallest balance first and then close the account and move on to the next one. Seeing yourself make progress in this way will further help you to stay motivated.

And if you ever find yourself struggling, our Money Bootcamp can lend a helping hand.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section bg_color=”hsl(0, 1%, 98%)” parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0 0px 25px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”false”]Submit a Question![/x_custom_headline][cs_text]Have a finance question you’d like answered? Why not drop me a line! Each week I would love to answer a question from the community. Click below to get in touch.[/cs_text][x_button size=”global” block=”false” circle=”false” icon_only=”false” href=”mailto:tash@womenwithcents.com.au” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]ASK TASH[/x_button][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 25px 0px 0;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”http://www.womenwithcents.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Email-photo.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text style=”font-size:12px;”]The information provided by Women with Cents is general in nature. It doesn’t take into account your objectives, personal financial situation or needs. Think of it as educational material in which to help you make more-informed decisions. We recommend you obtain financial, tax and credit advice specific to your situation before making any investments or financial decisions.

Sova Financial Pty Ltd Trading as Women with Cents. ABN 71 163 435 836 | Sova Financial is an authorised Credit Representative Number 443432 of Finsure Finance & Insurance Pty Ltd, ACL 384704, ABN 72 068 153 926[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]

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The information provided by Women with Cents is general in nature. It doesn’t take into account your objectives, personal financial situation or needs. Think of it as educational material that helps you make more-informed decisions. We recommend you obtain financial, tax and credit advice specific to your situation before making any investment or financial decisions.

Sova Financial Pty Ltd Trading as Women with Cents (ABN 71 163 435 836) | Sova Financial is an authorised Credit Representative (443432) of Finsure Finance & Insurance Pty Ltd (ACL 384704, ABN 72 068 153 926). Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.