I've decided to get a second job.

[ChattyKathy]

So I have finally made up my mind to get a second job. I want one so I can get out of debt quicker and buy some things for the kids this Christmas.

What is everyone thoughts on using a second job income to pay down debt? Should I pay down the debt ASAP or should I use it to put into savings and continue to pay down debt when I can?

thoughts...

[TNShannon]

I'm a big believer in the savings and emergency fund. If you have enough money to ensure that you can deal with the little financial emergency here and there, then you're good to go. You should have at least a thousand dollars. I've read different suggestions from Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman, which say you should be able to pay a certain number of months' worth of expenses with your emergency fund. But if you can build up at least 1000 dollars, that's a good starting point.

After that, I would tackle the debt. If you throw all of the money from your second job into your debt and then an emergency arises, it will be very tempting to use those credit cards, putting yourself right back into the bad place you were in to begin with.

Save, save, save! :)

[SallySue15]

I agree 100% with TNShannon. It is essential to have an emergency fund. Bad stuff always happens when you are least prepared. It is cold right now, so the heater could go out, and cannot wait to be fixed when you have the money.

Put at least $1,000 into savings, more if you feel you need to. Once you have that emergency fund, begin paying off debt, otherwise, you will have no other option than to use you credit cards to pay for fixing an emergency, and just back track right back into that financial hole.

Good luck, ChattyKathy. Getting out of debt is really hard, but I'll bet you can do it. I did.