Which Debts Should You Eliminate First?

Derick and Stephen rank the most common types of debt from worst to least urgent — payday loans and credit cards at the top of the "attack first" list, federal student loans and medical debt near the bottom because of their flexibility and negotiation options. The core argument: not all debt deserves equal urgency, so throwing extra cash at a low-interest loan while carrying a 30% credit card balance is a mistake. They lay out a simple game plan (payday loans → credit cards → personal/private student loans → everything else) and tie it back to mortgage readiness — paying down the right debt first can make or break loan qualification.