<prompt> Human: Around three months ago I posted on here for advice in getting my finances in order. I just finished paying off the outstanding balance on the credit card, just before the promotional rate was about to end. As well, Ive managed to get the Emergency Fund up to 2500, as well as a months expenses in the chequing account.Obviously Im in a much more stable place now than I was a few months ago...Several things have worked in my favour for this: My wife actively helped. In the past, my wife has enjoyed browsing thrift stores and would make lots of impulse purchases for things we didnt need. Shes worked hard at not doing that. Budget: Ive been using Mint to track expenses and bills, and make sure I knew where the money was going. With that, Ive been able to try to more effectively manage the budget. Better meal planning. We made better use of our food and our leftovers and drastically cut down food waste. Drastically cut back on eating out. Overtime: Ive been able to accumulate some overtime, which went right into either EF or CC. Contract renegotiation at work: my union at work finally renegotiated our contract, and I received about 2500 back pay, as well as a cash settlement for a retirement benefit that was removed. These completed the payment of the CC debt.Target 2 Van: 12,000 3 2.5 years to go, payment 400 month House: 383,000 3.69, payment 1500 monthId like to say that would be paying off the car. I really would. Because once the van is paid off, we can survive on just my income. But I think I should listen to the advice I was given, and work on increasing the EF now so that I have some more breathing room in case life throws another curveball. So, Im going to work on continuing to grow the fund. Its possible in Sept I may need to get a second car, and I want to have at least 5000 available in the fund by then so I can get a decent used car without needing financing. My wife has been able to resume working part tie, and is currently making around 800 - 1000 per month, and that money is being used to do the renovations upgrades to the house that she wants. The big thing is that weve realized that we need to make sure weve got the money up front rather than using credit...The biggest question mark in our income right now is that we are hosting international students. We receive a stipend for that, and we provide room and board for them. The problem is that although the school board seems desperate for them every year, there isnt any guarantee that they will need any. Obviously if that happens, my wife would use her income to cover the van payment. But it wouldnt make her happy to slow down her home improvements even more... Anyways, thanks all for the advice and critiques in the past!Assistant: Congratulations on paying off the card. The renovations sound nice, but unless theyre a necessity, you might need to hold off. Imagine how fast the van would get paid off if you put every extra red cent into the loan. Just food for thought.Human: I agree with you, and would love to do that. But I have to also deal with my political realities here too...The renovations arent strictly a necessity, but they are very important to my wife getting a deck for the back yard this summer, getting an area where she can do her crafts. I considered it a success that shes agreed to the fact that we have to have the money for the upgrade rather than putting it on credit -- that is a major concession from her. Right now shes working with me. Im afraid that if I push too hard, with no rewards for her in the near term, that she will quit working with me...  <response>: Getting into the mindset of saving for something is much more positive all around than financing something and then stressing to pay it off. 