School fees, home EMIs, and card bills compete for the same rupee. A clear pecking order wins. Protect the roof; then prune the rate; then tame the swipe.
RBI policy notes and housing data show mortgage rates move with policy cycles, while card rates stay high and steady (Reserve Bank of India, 2024; National Housing Bank, 2024). Families in their 30s need a two‑engine plan: secure the home loan, then erase card interest.
Order of Attack
- Non‑negotiable autopays: Home loan EMI, insurance premia, and card total due.
- Avalanche on cards: Highest APR first; others at minimum.
- Surplus split: 70% to card attack, 30% to home‑loan prepayment during the interest‑heavy years.
Humor break: Kids ask simple questions: “Why is pizza round?” Cards ask harder ones: “Why is APR round the clock?”
School‑Fee Sinking Fund
Spread the annual fee across 12 months in a separate account. This stops fee weeks from forcing swipes. NHB and dailies highlight how prepaying during interest‑heavy phases saves years on the loan (National Housing Bank, 2024; The Hindu BusinessLine, 2025).
Chiasmus: Guard home before growth; grow peace before price.
Takeaways at a Glance
- Autopay mortgage and card total due (Reserve Bank of India, 2024).
- Use avalanche on cards; keep family goals safe.
- Run a school‑fee sinking fund; avoid emergency swipes.
- Prepay home loan in interest‑heavy years when possible (National Housing Bank, 2024).
Your Turn
Which split worked in your 30s: 60:40 or 70:30? Share your real numbers and lessons.
Closing
When the roof stays safe, the road ahead feels lighter.
Short poetic disclaimer:
I write to guide, not decide; your money, your stride.
Sources
- Reserve Bank of India. (2024). Monetary Policy and Interest Rate Transmission. https://www.rbi.org.in/
- National Housing Bank. (2024). Housing Finance Update and Prepayment Trends. https://nhb.org.in/
- The Hindu BusinessLine. (2025, April 10). Why early home‑loan prepayments matter. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/