Use LISA to pay of debt?

13thlegion

If you really can save £1000 when you are sensible then put that money towards the cards and do not take from the LISA.

The word budget has come up so I want to really encourage you and fluff that term up. In advertising budget means cheap and no money no fun. In the real world budget means mentally spending your money twice. It doesn't mean you don't have fun, it means you plan what you will spend in advance. For example in my budget each payday I save a fixed amount towards holidays even if I didn't have one planned. I get a great feeling thinking this will be fun money one day. Then when I am on holiday I can spend that money guilt free and and get a second fun money buzz from the same £.

Budget means give every £ a job as soon as it comes in. Tell it where to go and then stick to what you have decided. It can be harder to do that in your situation as you have fewer bills serving as a template. Sounds odd and paradoxical as you have the opportunity to be better off financially now living with your parents but it's much harder to be disciplined.

I also suggest cutting up the physical cards, removing the details from websites, Google wallet or Apple Pay so you can't use them. Then close the accounts as soon as they are cleared.