# What to pay off first
**URL:** https://community.clark.com/t/what-to-pay-off-first/5397
**Category:** Uncategorized
**Created:** [June 4, 2024, 4:48am UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/what-to-pay-off-first/5397 "2024-06-04T04:48:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@mtwins](https://community.clark.com/u/mtwins)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2024, 4:48am UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/what-to-pay-off-first/5397/1 "2024-06-04T04:48:57Z")
I have
50k IRS DEBT
35K CREDIT CARD DEBT TOTAL WITH INTEREST RATE 12%
50K PERSONAL LOAN WITH 10% INTEREST
WHICH DEBT SHOULD A PAY OFF FIRST
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### Author:  [@robertpri](https://community.clark.com/u/robertpri)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2024, 5:38am UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/what-to-pay-off-first/5397/2 "2024-06-04T05:38:53Z")
> [@mtwins](#):
>
> WHICH DEBT SHOULD A PAY OFF FIRST
I have NO idea, but gut reaction tells me I would not want to owe the IRS.
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### Author:  [@JPW050](https://community.clark.com/u/JPW050)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2024, 11:46am UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/what-to-pay-off-first/5397/3 "2024-06-04T11:46:13Z")
I agree about paying the IRS. If you have not done so, I would recommend contacting the IRS to work out a payment schedule.
For the remaining debt, it is generally recommended to pay off high interest debt first.
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### Author:  [@p1g1](https://community.clark.com/u/p1g1)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2024, 12:31pm UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/what-to-pay-off-first/5397/4 "2024-06-04T12:31:03Z")
It seems that you have a viable pathway to pay off your debt and not have to consider bankruptcy. As @JPW050 mentioned, paying off the highest interest debt first is recommended. Consider working with a Credit Counselor at [nfcc.org](http://nfcc.org). They apparently have negotiated lower credit card interest rates with some of the credit card issuers. If you DIY you can use [powerpoint.org](http://powerpoint.org) for calculation of your monthly payments and to see how much you will lower your total interest paid by paying off the highest interest debt first.
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### Author:  [@mtwins](https://community.clark.com/u/mtwins)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2024, 3:02pm UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/what-to-pay-off-first/5397/5 "2024-06-04T15:02:00Z")
I already setup a payment plan with irs
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### Author:  [@charlieg](https://community.clark.com/u/charlieg)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2024, 3:52pm UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/what-to-pay-off-first/5397/6 "2024-06-04T15:52:26Z")
IRS all the way - those people have guns and legal authority to do all sorts of nastiness. I just saw your last comment - I would hope you negotiated with the IRS to reduce that debt. If not, I’d revisit that issue.
As far as the other debts - pay the minimum allowing you to focus on the IRS. That said, do not lose one bit of sleep over the other debts. I’m dealing with a boatload of debts with my mom and sisters estates. They have all been written off to credit collector for 5 cents on the dollar. Once you get the IRS happy - get some counsel, but make an offer to the collectors. You’ll save at least 50% of the debt.
Hang in there
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### Author:  [@Sammiesaver](https://community.clark.com/u/Sammiesaver)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2024, 6:33pm UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/what-to-pay-off-first/5397/7 "2024-06-04T18:33:44Z")
I’m no expert that being said , I would set up a re-payment plan with the IRS and also pay down the credit card simultaneously.