Clearing the credit card to enjoy living abroad - the final step on the debt free journey

LittleMonkey1985

After a few hard years of clearing debt I stupidly allowed an ex-partner to build up, I am now on the final steps to freedom. I've been lucky with support from my Mum and worked very hard, and now - I have been given a 12 month assignment overseas in Asia. I am SO excited!! 

I have one remaining debt - a credit card with £2406.30 - so my goal for 2023 is to finish with this card empty AND have taken all the possible opportunities presented by living overseas. After countless sleepless nights over how I'm going to fill the car up or pay the water bill, I'm looking forward to a more manageable challenge, which I intend to complete in a fun and light hearted way. I see it as my reward for digging myself out of my previous situation. 

So, if you have fun suggestions and challenges, or just want to share the ups and downs of what is likely to be a fairly crazy year - follow along! 

In addition, I've signed up for the 1p challenge - this is going to be my fund to take the above mentioned supportive mother on a well deserved trip when I get home (as she is also going to be looking after my absolute pride and joy of a dog whilst I'm gone) so the better I do at that, the better her trip will be! 

Januarys challenge is all linked to moving - I own a flat which I'm hoping to rent out whilst I'm away. Whilst I intend to let furnished, I will need to pack up all of my personal things for storage. Let the decluttering commence! I have a few ideas for how to turn this into a profitable exercise:

• The spare change..................................... as I tidy and sort, all of the random coins I find will be getting deposited - goal £25
• The old electricals..................................... umpteen old phones are stuffed in draws and in the loft, time to recycle them! - goal £50
• The dresses............................. I have a stash of once worn ball gowns and cocktail dresses, they are getting sold, unsure if FB or eBay will be better but lets find out - goal £50
• Books - these will be the hardest to part with but some really need to go - goal £25

So a £200 start in Jan - wish me luck  

LittleMonkey1985

Well, small successes - I have made my bank rounding overpayments and am now down to £2394.63 (only 11.67 I know, but, £11. 67 less owed). More importantly - I took the plunge and applied for a 0% interest card. I have massive anxiety over applying for anything finance related as I have spent ages paying things off I can't stand the thought of owing a bank again. But, I forced myself to take the plunge as I hated seeing the interest get applied to the account! So, I have a new 12 month 0% balance transfer card arriving this week. I am undecided whether to shut down the account I have now once cleared, or keep the account and give the card to my mum to keep my credit utilisation low on my credit score? I know longer 0% rates are out there but this card had other facilities I need such a 0 fees on overseas transactions, and the transfer fee was only 1%. This makes the transfer fee £23 which will be covered by the penny jar i'm filling. I've started sorting through clothes this week, and have a pile in need to list to sell, but have also found over £24 so far in pockets etc - ahhhh cash, how I miss you! When i first started paying off the previous debt i used to give myself pocket money in cash so i'm guessing this mostly comes from there! 

I went into work for the first time this year yesterday - my boss was so happy with my performance last year and has given me a really good appraisal which put a real spring in my step! I had a gift last year of a baking subscription box and due to being away have 4 of them sat in the kitchen, so i have just put a vanilla chai cake in the oven and a batch of brownies are cooling on the side. 

I have sorted a pile of books to Ziffit - i'm just emotionally working upto it, i love books so much but realistically don't need these ones anymore, i have managed to get rid of a bunch of kids books that i am not actually attached too so getting there. working on getting that CC balance down to £2300 this month. 

So far:
Overpayment: 11.67
Kids Books: £9.28

Total Jan: £20.96