A $1,000 debt at 22% interest costs $220 annually, while saving the same amount at 3% yields $30, resulting in a net loss of $190 compared to paying off the debt.
"For example, if you have $1,000 of credit card debt at 22% interest, that is costing you $220 in interest over a year. Now, say instead of paying that off, you decide to save. You save that $1,000 in a high interest account, paying 3%. Then you're earning $30 in interest over the year. So, you're essentially $190 worse off."