Problem: You want progress on debt and investing, but you do not want a plan that breaks your cash flow.
Promise: Use a simple APR rule to decide the priority, then build a “do both” plan that sticks.
If you want a money manager, not just another budget, see Money Manager for Sheets.
Decision table: APR vs expected return
| Debt APR | Expected return | Default move |
|---|---|---|
| 18% credit card | 6–8% investing | Prioritize payoff |
| 6% student loan | 6–8% investing | Do both |
| 3% mortgage | 6–8% investing | Invest + minimums |
The “do both” baseline
- Minimum payments on all debt.
- One extra payment on the highest‑priority debt.
- One automatic investing contribution (even small).
For the full framework, read should I pay off debt or invest first?. If you want the month‑by‑month structure, see how to balance debt payoff and investing.
You can also visit the finance answers hub or calculate your investing number in how much should you invest each month.
Want one plan you can maintain in Google Sheets? Start with Penny’s Google Sheets plan.