--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I use a \"Debt Dash\" approach to paying…" description: "\"I use a \"Debt Dash\" approach to paying off debt. I recommend people focus on paying off the debt with the lowest balance first. So if the primary has l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/559/michelle-singletary-8251_approach_i-use-a-debt-dash-approach-to-paying-off_2364743.jpg" --- # I use a "Debt Dash" approach to paying off debt. I… ![“I use a "Debt Dash" approach to paying off debt. I recommend people focus on paying off the debt with the lowest balance first. So if the primary has less debt you would focus on that.” quote by Michelle Singletary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/559/michelle-singletary-8251_approach_i-use-a-debt-dash-approach-to-paying-off_2364743.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/559/michelle-singletary-8251_approach_i-use-a-debt-dash-approach-to-paying-off_2364743.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/559/michelle-singletary-8251_approach_i-use-a-debt-dash-approach-to-paying-off_2364743.jpg) > “I use a "Debt Dash" approach to paying off debt. I recommend people focus on paying off the debt with the lowest balance first. So if the primary has less debt you would focus on that.” [Michelle Singletary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-singletary/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Paying off the smallest debt first builds momentum and confidence, encouraging continued progress on larger obligations. **In simple terms:** Start with the smallest debt to gain momentum. Key Takeaway Focus on the lowest balance debt first. Themes debt reduction psychology financial planning Mood motivational practical Type advice instructional When to use this quote - personal debt payoff - credit card repayment - student loans Key Concepts snowball method behavioral finance goal setting Questions to Reflect On - Is the psychological boost worth potential higher interest costs? - How could you combine methods for optimal results? A Different Perspective Larger debts may have higher interest, making this method less efficient. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/) [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [If you just don't have any idea what you want to do, the worst thing you can do is go to law school. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-max/if-you-just-don-t-have-any-idea-what-you-want-to-do-the-worst-thing/) [Tucker Max](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-max/) > [People tend to think that paying a debt is like going out and buying a car, buying more food or buying more clothes. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hudson/people-tend-to-think-that-paying-a-debt-is-like-going-out-and-buying/) [Michael Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hudson/) > [Get your money in balance. 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There are no miracle cures; it takes discipline and hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-madigan/i-often-say-that-paying-off-your-debt-is-like-dieting-there-are-no/) [Lisa Madigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-madigan/) > [Paying debt service to banks leaves less income to buy goods and services.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hudson/paying-debt-service-to-banks-leaves-less-income-to-buy-goods-and/) [Michael Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hudson/) > [If you've got $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, you're better off paying off any debt you have because that's a guaranteed return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/if-you-ve-got-25-000-50-000-100-000-you-re-better-off-paying-off-any/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) ## More by Michelle Singletary > [You need to know everything. You both need to be comfortable with sharing everything. If you can't you are NOT ready to get married.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-singletary/you-need-to-know-everything-you-both-need-to-be-comfortable-with/) [Michelle Singletary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-singletary/) > [We all fall - even me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-singletary/we-all-fall-even-me/) [Michelle Singletary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-singletary/) > [I love teaching people how to handle their money and I've built a brand on that skill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-singletary/i-love-teaching-people-how-to-handle-their-money-and-i-ve-built-a/) [Michelle Singletary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-singletary/) > [You made a decision given your life circumstances and you have to be ok with that. 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If you approach me at a bus stop and murmur Thou still unravished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/literature-transforms-and-intensifies-ordinary-language-deviates/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [The whole secret to mastering the game of golf - and this applies to the beginner as well as the pro - is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-palmer/the-whole-secret-to-mastering-the-game-of-golf-and-this-applies-to/) [Arnold Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-palmer/) > [The essence of Christianity...is an ever-new encounter with... the God who speaks to us, who approaches us and who befriends us!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/the-essence-of-christianity-is-an-ever-new-encounter-with-the-god-who/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [Like a morning dream, life becomes more and more bright the longer we live, and the reason of everything appears more clear. 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