239. Managing Debt

Sarah: Hi John, how have you been?


John: Hi Sarah! I've been good, just trying to manage my debt. How about you?


Sarah: Same here. Debt can be stressful. What strategies do you use to pay off your debt?


John: I try to focus on paying off my credit card debt first because the interest rate is very high. I also set up a repayment plan to make sure I pay a bit each month. What about you?


Sarah: That’s smart. I do something similar. I always pay more than the minimum payment on my credit card. I also try to pay off my mortgage faster by making extra payments.


John: That’s a good idea. How do interest rates affect your debt repayment?


Sarah: Interest rates can make a big difference. Higher interest rates mean I end up paying more over time. That’s why I try to pay off high-interest debts first.


John: Yes, that makes sense. Have you ever had to consolidate your debt?


Sarah: Yes, I did that last year. I combined my credit card debt and personal loan into one loan with a lower interest rate. It made it easier to manage and reduced my monthly payments.


John: I’ve thought about consolidating my debt too. It seems like a good way to simplify things and maybe improve my credit score.


Sarah: It definitely helped me. Just make sure you do the math and check the new interest rate and terms.


John: Thanks for the advice, Sarah. Managing debt can be tough, but talking about it helps.


Sarah: Absolutely, John. We’re all in this together. Good luck with your debt repayment!


John: Thanks, Sarah. You too!