+18 votes
by (1k points)
I have 3 medical bills due, all for $250 each. I also have a $2, 000 credit card that I need to pay down. and I am getting money back from taxes soon. I also need to put more into our savings because we are going on vacation soon. What should I pay towards first? I’m only getting $2, 431 in taxes.  
I have 3 medical bills due, all for $250 each.

12 Answers

+6 votes
by (14.5k points)
All 3 medical bills, savings, then credit card
+5 votes
by (1k points)
I’d do credit card (as it’s accumulating interest and is the one thing that will affect your credit). Medical bills (if you must) you can always arrange payment arrangements as low as $10 even and the remaining can go to vacation savings. Again, if you must.  
+5 votes
by (1.6k points)
Pay off the credit card, get on a payment plan for the medical bills. Your medical bills will not accrue interest if you get on a payment plan. I’ve got plans as low as $25 a month. You’ll save money in the long run doing it this way.  
by (510 points)
@kiln24182 does putting medical bills on a payment plan show up on your credit?  
by (1.6k points)
@bloodcurdling it never has in my experience. It’s an internal payment plan between you and the medical company so it also won’t end up in collections as long as you make those payment.  
by (1.6k points)
@bloodcurdling also, I was listening to a podcast yesterday by Popcorn Finance and they said that medical bills won’t show up on your credit until they are 6 months past due in the US.  
by (510 points)
@kiln24182 perfect! We’re about to turn in a lease, which shows up as a loan that will close. Then I’ll have a medical bill from giving birth in a few weeks, then we need to purchase our second lease so I wanted to make sure we stop messing with our credit for the purchase of the car!  
+8 votes
by (3.2k points)
I would pay down your credit card to 30% (that would leave about $600 balance) and pay off those medical bills as long as they havent gone to collections. If they have negotiate a lower amount or ask for them to be removed in return for payment . And the rest put toward savings.  
by (2.9k points)
@felid agreed
+6 votes
by (2.7k points)
Credit card as it charges interest, then medical.  
+7 votes
by (23.6k points)
Medical bills then credit card.  
+12 votes
by (6.1k points)
I’d pay $750 for the medical bills, do $1000 to CC and save the $600~ for vacation
by (6.1k points)
Also what @felid said above. Only pay those medical bills if they are NOT in collections. Otherwise leave them on the back burner and do your research on how to pay or not pay stuff in collections
+17 votes
by (6k points)
I’m paying off the medical bills. It’s the ankle biters that get you. Then I’m paying the credit card. For me getting out of debt yesterday very important to me, however, I love to travel so I would (I do) have a vacation/travel sinking fund which is funded all year long so that I don’t have to choose between one or the other.  
+6 votes
by (610 points)
I wish I was getting “only $2, 431”  
+9 votes
by (790 points)
It depends if the medical bills are in collection cuz if they are u can call them and tell them u have 150 in cash if they would settle
+9 votes
by (7.3k points)
I say medical bills, savings, then credit card
by (7.3k points)
Because when you knock out the medical bills then you can take that and roll it in to the card payment
+6 votes
by (18.9k points)
Pay the medical bills while they are still bills and not debt. Is the vacation going to happen no matter what? Then fund that savings account so you don't cause new debt. Then attack the CC. (Do you have an EF? If not I would fund that before the rest. )
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