advice on debt management

Suppose you have a small personal debt (under $100) and have arranged to pay
it a week from now. Today, you come into a small amount of extra money
(again under $100, but more than the personal debt). Do you:

1. Pay back the debt right away out of the extra money?
2. Stick with the original arrangement and spend/save the extra money?
3. Wait a few days and, if nothing crops up requiring the extra money, pay
the creditor back early?
4. Tell the creditor about the extra money and offer them the choice of when
they want it?
5. Tell the creditor about the extra money and ask for their input?

(I chose option #5 and the creditor said I should stick to the original
arrangement. Now, that's a real friend!)

The Bibble Guy
"Be a fruit and divide." - The Bibble

"The Bibble Guy" <the_bibble_guy@befruity.com> wrote in message
news:ShmZj.91646$Uf4.39405@en-nntp-08.dc1.easynews.com...
> Suppose you have a small personal debt (under $100) and have arranged to
> pay it a week from now. Today, you come into a small amount of extra money
> (again under $100, but more than the personal debt). Do you:
>
> 1. Pay back the debt right away out of the extra money?
> 2. Stick with the original arrangement and spend/save the extra money?
> 3. Wait a few days and, if nothing crops up requiring the extra money, pay
> the creditor back early?
> 4. Tell the creditor about the extra money and offer them the choice of
> when they want it?
> 5. Tell the creditor about the extra money and ask for their input?
>
> (I chose option #5 and the creditor said I should stick to the original
> arrangement. Now, that's a real friend!)
>
> The Bibble Guy
> "Be a fruit and divide." - The Bibble
>

I think it may depend on various factors.

If the debt is owed to a friend, early payback seems right, as you shouldn't
really be borrowing from friends anyway.

If it is something like a credit card, there may be the option of full
payment compared to minimum payment. It money is really tight, one might
hold the money aside until a week before the due date. That way, if there
is an emergency, you can pay just the minimum payment for the debt, and pay
the emergency expense too.