I have a TON of credit card debt and I’ve been trying to pay it down my whole adult life. Also started a FT job with 401k matching 6m ago. I’ve lowered my contributions to 2%. Does it makes sense to lower it to 1% if it just means putting an extra $140 or so towards debt? I’m 43.. so definitely need to get my act together financially and time isn’t on my side.

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Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

How much does your company match?

Wow. I just shared something super vulnerable. My statement about the interest rates is a sentiment that many people have echoed with even an article in the NYTimes today about how the interest rates are negatively impacting people. And the predatory nature of credit cards is well documented with less people likely defaulting on their debt if there were caps in APRs. I also spent the first 6m of last year unemployed which again, was more due to the market vs how hard I hustled, which you’d know if you have spent any time in the advertising industry on LinkedIn. So show a little grace.

How much credit card debt and what do you make a year?

Yeah unfortunately I live in a high cost of living area $2400 which is sadly under market for crazy NYC. So not an option to move for at least a year and even if I did, it would have to be an extremely dramatic move. Housing is so expensive these days! I spend about $3800 a month towards my debt.

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That housing amount is probably about as low as you’re gonna find for something comparable comfort wise so I don’t think that’s the issue. Keep that $3800 per month going and tack on any little bit you can to it each month. Do you have any other assets?

Also, I’m not a fan of Dave Ramsey in general, but in your situation he’s the right guy. Pick up a copy of total money makeover

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I was up to my eyeballs in debt too, and what I did was track expenses for a month, then look at what I could cut or change about my spending.

I now only have my mortgage as debt these days and am saving about 60% of my take home pay in various saving and investing vehicles.

Why so much? I didn’t start saving for retirement myself until I was 44 due to my financial situation. I’m now looking at retiring comfortably at 70 with a condo that is completely paid off by the time I’m 66.

It can be done, but I would have my 401(k) contribution at least at the match of 3% and cut expenses. It won’t be easy but can be done. Good luck!

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