 TITLE: Should I Pay Off Debt Before I Invest? CONTENT: Assess Your Financial Baseline\n------------------------------\nBefore you start putting your money toward either option, it's essential to make sure you have your financial basics covered. The best way to do that is to create a budget if you don't already have one so you can see how your monthly income is used.\nSome experts recommend using a 50\/30\/20 approach to your budget: 50% of your income goes toward necessities (food, shelter, utilities and so on), 30% toward discretionary spending (optional expenses) and 20% toward savings and debt payments.\nThat's just a starting point, however: Depending on your situation, you may need to reduce your discretionary spending to focus on eliminating debt or saving for the future. It's important to consider your situation and goals to find the right balance.\nOnce you determine the amount you're able to set aside for paying off debt or investing, you need to prioritize your options. As you think about the best strategy, consider these basics first: END