I know it sounds stupid, but it might help to think of the interest rates on your debt as returns on your money.
Let’s say you have 2 credit cards:
One card with a $5,000 balance at 9% interest
The other with a $10,000 balance at 12.5% interest
If you look at the balances, it might make more sense to pay the smallest balance first — $5000 — right?
What if you thought of those interest rates as “rates of return”? I know that isn’t technically true, because it’s a cost and a debt to you, but by seeing them as ‘rates of return’, it might make more sense.
Think of it this way:
You have $500/month to put towards debt.
Wouldn’t you rather get back 12.5% than 9%?
You could definitely clear that $5000 debt sooner and just have one card to focus on.
Psychologically speaking, this is very rewarding for many people.
However, when you consider the rationality of it all, the best return will always be to make your money go farther by paying down the one that is costing you the most in interest — the 12.5%.
You’d be “making” 3.5% more than if you paid that money towards your 9% debt.
So think about your interest rates as rates of return, if you are paying down your debt and starting to feel fatigued.
It might help give you a renewed motivation to do better.
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year.
Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about 
Thanks for your advice, it’s great! I had no idea that you can even get some rewards when you pay off your debt. Paying down the debt is a complicated process and it’s hard to trust in yourself and tell yourself that you can do it. Many consumers complain that they have massive credit card debts and that they don’t know where to start to get out of this debt cycle. As for me, I use my credit card carefully and mostly for building a credit. Once I have taken out quick cash advance loan online to cover some urgent bills but after that I try to avoid borrowing because I’m afraid to find myself in big financial mess one day.
Hey, great idea!
Although, if I may point out, in this instance the numbers are pretty straightforward, but people might get confused by the interest rate here, because they might think you have to pay off the credit card with the highest interest rate first, but what if you owe 12.5 on 5k and 9% on 10K, then which is better to clear first? Most likely the 10K anyway in spite of the interest rate (converted to actual numbers, you loose less percentage, but more actual money). Maybe you can explain a bit more with numbers and stuff for people who don’t usually think of it that way? But it’s a really good way to save money and pay off your debt too! 😀