We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Feedback Please
Options

pineconesjay
Posts: 54 Forumite

Hi, I have a question and looking for some feedback.
I'll be getting access to $2800 of savings this week.
It's an old Australian scheme called the First Home Saver Account.
The idea was that you saved for a home and could ONLY use the savings to buy a home.*
It got scrapped so everyone with one of these accounts can use the money for whatever as of 1 July.
Anyway, I'm $10,200 in debt and trying to decide how to divvy up the money.
This is what I've come up with:
Debt payment $2,200
Emergency Fund $400
Dental work for Hubby $200
Is my Emergency Fund too small? (I plan to build it up over the next few weeks)
Is it too big? (Should I be putting as much as possible toward the debt?)
I tell you, it's a nice problem to have, for a change!
*We're actually not planning to buy a home for a long time - Aussie property bubble has to burst and I'd rather buy when prices are low, rather than at their peak. More time to save a deposit, etc etc.
I'll be getting access to $2800 of savings this week.
It's an old Australian scheme called the First Home Saver Account.
The idea was that you saved for a home and could ONLY use the savings to buy a home.*
It got scrapped so everyone with one of these accounts can use the money for whatever as of 1 July.
Anyway, I'm $10,200 in debt and trying to decide how to divvy up the money.
This is what I've come up with:
Debt payment $2,200
Emergency Fund $400
Dental work for Hubby $200
Is my Emergency Fund too small? (I plan to build it up over the next few weeks)
Is it too big? (Should I be putting as much as possible toward the debt?)
I tell you, it's a nice problem to have, for a change!
*We're actually not planning to buy a home for a long time - Aussie property bubble has to burst and I'd rather buy when prices are low, rather than at their peak. More time to save a deposit, etc etc.
Looking forward to being Debt Free!
11/01/2020
Car Loan $9,250
11/01/2020
Car Loan $9,250
0
Comments
-
I would say the emergency fund is on the small side. Dave Ramsey (Amercian personal finance expert) recommends saving up an emergency fund of $1000 before making any overpayments to the debts.
I'd be tempted by a slightly higher emergency fund (at least $500-600), then the rest on debt/dentist.Starting 2016 debt-free
Emergency Fund: £350/£10000 -
Fully fund your emergency fund first. It is up to you what level you think you need but whilst you have debt most people agree that somewhere around £1000 (Aus$2000) is the right amount) after this everything on the debt.
Either cashflow hubby dental work or put it on the lowest CC you can, using your windfall to pay off the highest interest debts.
Whatever you do give it all a purpose or it will disappear!!£1000 Emergency fund No90 £1000/1000
LBM 28/1/15 total debt - [STRIKE]£23,410[/STRIKE] 24/3/16 total debt - £7,298
!0 -
andyfromotley wrote: »Whatever you do give it all a purpose or it will disappear!!
Yes, so true!
Actually, part of the reason I'm so tempted to keep the EF on the lower side is knowing in the past just how quickly 'emergencies' pop up when you happen to have a bit of money set aside.
If I put a bigger sum into the debt then I know it is working to reduce my debt (and therefore the interest I pay), however having it sitting in an account just waiting for an opportunity...
I don't want to give in to temptation to use it, and hey, if I had iron willpower I wouldn't be in this debt in the first place.
In a true emergency I know I can call on my Dad. I've never needed to, but he made sure I knew I could count on him.
Also, we rent, so any house-related repairs are not our responsibility.
So that is why I'd rather keep a smaller amount for an Emergency Fund, and pay more towards the debt. Even so, I plan to build the EF each week anyway. And once I'm debt free I'll be 'free' to get onto Baby Step 3...Looking forward to being Debt Free!
11/01/2020
Car Loan $9,2500 -
Anyone else have any advice?
Am I being foolish not to have a bigger Emergency Fund?
Really want to be out of debt ASAP.Looking forward to being Debt Free!
11/01/2020
Car Loan $9,2500
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
- 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.5K Spending & Discounts
- 243.8K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.8K Life & Family
- 257K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards