A journey of a 1000 miles must begin with single footstep....

Kepp

I did volunteer work for six months, 3 months in Zimbabwe and 3 months in Namibia. I got back at the end of March this year. It was an absolutely amazing experience!

However, it did compound my debt problem so maybe not the most sensible choice I've ever made!

I realised that when I made my first post on my debt diary and how I've lived out of reality for a bit too long sometimes, but hey, I'm dealing with it now, once and for all

I would def recommend doing it though - how can you not enjoy getting up and walking lions every day?!

Woowoo

That sounds amazing, what sort of volunteer work did it involve?

How old are you (I'm 30 in a few weeks)?

Sorry to be so nosey!

It may not of helped your debt but you will have that experience for the rest of your life. A lot of my debt is on travel, I usually go with a company called Explore who do small group trips to places off the beaten track. I might have paid for most of them on my credit card but I wouldn't change a thing!

I am glad I've seen the error of my ways now though, it's feels better knowing I have paid for 100% of my holiday to Greece.

Kepp

It was working with animals. Zimbabwe was a lion rehabilitation project, walking the lions every day, teaching them to hunt etc ready to be released into the wild. It was the second time I had been there, although the first time I went was only for 5 weeks.
I also took a week to head up to Vic Falls where I bungee jumped :eek: one of the things on my list of things to do.

I then headed to Namibia and worked with a variety of animals from lions, cheetahs and baboons rescuing and re-habilitating them. It was also a working farm so I also worked with goats and cattle - I'll never forget one day in 40 degree heat wrestling and de-worming no less than 287 goats!!! :rotfl:

I agree - it was not the best money decisions in the world to do these things, especially when I was already in debt, but also an experience that I would never change.

My addiction to travel is what has landed me in a lot of debt along with a few other things. But also has become my motivation to clear my debt once and for all. Me and boyfriend want to go travelling together for a year (as bless him, he waited at home while I did those six months) and I cannot do that while in debt, which is why I want to shift the debt so quickly.

The Explore thing sounds really interesting - might have to go off and have a little Google!

Glad to find someone else who has debts from too much travel!

Oh, and I'm 26! Don't worry bout being nosey, I am too!

Woowoo

It sounds amazing and you were also giving something back to the world.

Just think you will be out of debt by 27 and free to travel the whole world for as long as you like!

That's my biggest motivation to be debt free, there are so many places I want to visit, but I want to do it off my own back now, not courtesy of Lloyds TSB lol!

mummytogirls

Hi Woowoo!

Well done on your progress so far :T.

Just wanted to ask, you know the random amounts you keep finding on the floor! Do you just pay like 6p in at a time?

Happytogetdebtfree

wow that sounds amazing :O xx

Woowoo

Hi mummytogirls

I pay in random amounts all the time, so I literally will go into the bank and pay in 6p. I used to get embarrassed, but I'm over it now!

Happytogetdebtfree

i do everything online you have guts going in and personally paying 6p i liek it haha

Woowoo

I have to pay it into my current account so I can then pay it off my credit card on line, it's fine until someone you know is in the queue next to you lol! I wonder if the Assistants say stuff about me after I'm gone!

Happytogetdebtfree

yes they probably say that girls got guts :P so sod them x