Another year has come and gone, and I must confess — turns out I’m only human too. Last year brought some big expenses and, if I’m honest, a little overspending on my part.
So, 2026 is officially my year to demolish the debt I accumulated in 2025. I’m starting exactly the way I always preach: by evaluating each debt. Which one has the highest rate? Which one has the highest balance or the least available credit? I’m also looking at anything that could negatively affect my credit score. Maintaining a strong credit rating matters to me. Like most good things, it takes time to build great credit, but you can damage it in no time at all.
Along with rates and balances, I’m paying close attention to two key factors:
DTI (debt to income ratio)
Lenders ideally want this under 36%. It shows how much of my income goes toward paying debts.
Credit utilization
The ratio of my total revolving balances to my total credit limits. In other words, how much of my available credit am I actually using.
If you’re like me and already dreaming about your next big purchase — maybe a new home or a new vehicle — these factors can absolutely influence your ability to make those dreams happen.
If one card has very little available credit left, even if it has the lowest rate, that’s the one I’ll tackle first until it’s under 50% utilized (ideally closer to 30%). After that, I’ll knock out the smallest debt next. Why? Simple: it gives me a quick win, a sense of accomplishment, and keeps me motivated to take down the next one.
As much as I dislike having debt, I’m fortunate to be able to manage it. And as I’ve said before, I’ll pay until it hurts — because minimum due monthly payments won’t get the job done. Banker Mom means business and she is saying hello to Spring and goodbye to debt by year end!
If you are overwhelmed or need help managing your debts, I hope you’ll reach out to Greylock. We have an amazing team that wants to help you achieve your dreams too!
Yours truly,
Jennifer Supranowicz "Banker Mom"