In purely financial terms, deciding whether to pay off a debt, or to start saving regularly, is clear cut:
If you're paying more interest on your loan or debt than you're earning on your savings, it makes sense to pay off the debt first.
For example, if you have savings in an account earning 2% interest, and you have store card debt that you're paying 19% interest on, it may be sensible to pay off the store card debt first, before putting money into the savings account.
However, this isn't a rule that applies to every situation. For example, mortgages, and certain loans, have fixed repayment terms that are not negotiable. If possible, you should try and build up savings in addition to making those payments.
There are 3 key things to consider:
Interest rate
If you have high interest debt, such as payday loans and store cards, these should usually be your number one priority. If you have several debts, it's typically best to prioritise the ones charging the highest interest rates first.
Unexpected costs
It may be sensible to build up an emergency savings fund, to cover unexpected costs, before focusing on paying down other debt.
Early repayments and break fees
Certain loans and borrowing come with penalties or fees if you pay them back early. You should check the terms of any borrowing carefully before opting for an early repayment.
A blended approach could make sense. Referring to the example above, you might:
tackle high interest debt first, like store cards and payday loans
build an emergency savings fund next, to meet unexpected costs like home repairs or losing your job
get into a savings habit by putting a regular amount each month into a savings account
make a plan to pay off lower interest, longer term debts
plan longer term savings to meet your financial goals
HSBC China offers you a wide range of products and services for savings accounts and time deposits, empowering you to accumulate and manage your wealth with ease for all your future plans.
It's a good idea to have a number of different types of savings. Learn what options you have for different goals.
Instilling good saving habits can help you met the financial goals you have outlined for yourself and your future.