To go to India

[Ineedanoatlatte]

I’m 31, single, no kids. I have a few grand of credit card debt as it is & I’m on the verge of booking a 20 day trip to India which’ll cost about £2k (credit card). I am just getting by at the moment so financially this is not a good idea but on the other hand I’ve always always wanted to go to India and I am right now in a mood of fuck it, you only live once and can’t be frugal always!

But she says she's a few grand in debt - which would suggest more than 2k. The 2k is the cost of the trip - i.e. the additional debt that she's considering racking up.

But the value of all properties has gone up, so when you sell your current place you’ll need that increased value to help you purchase the next one

@userxx do it. I carried on for nearly a year round parts of Asia. Met my partner and now due DC2 any day now.

Go for longer and rent your flat out while you're away,

Can you give yourself 6 months to work your arse off to pay off your CC debt, like pencil a date in the diary for it to be paid. And on that date, if its paid, then book your India trip?

Credit cards are the most expensive way to borrow money, you are aware of that right?

What you are proposing – delaying paying off the credit card by several YEARS – is absolute madness. By the time you pay it off the debt will have doubled and you’ll have paid back thousands extra for absolutely nothing.

If you want to go just go but I think you could do it cheaper for 2k

Remortgage flat to pay off debt because you are blowing £2k on a holiday you cannot afford. So one bad financial decision followed by another.

I am Indian. Both and bred. Just visited after 4 years. I only go back to see parents. Once they’re gone - not so sure. I wouldn’t get into debt to go and visit. V sorry if this isn’t quite the vision of India you have in mind.

Aside from the money side of it, I travelled around India for 5 months a few years ago. Travelled all over. I wouldn't recommend it for a single woman at all. There wasn't one day that I felt totally safe there and that's with my 6'4" husband. I spent most of the trip begging my husband to leave... was very glad to come home.

It's a nice place to travel to if you go to certain parts in luxury/5* hotels, but we found anything less quite scary tbh.

I've been to India for months at a time in my 20s. I wouldn't consider going back until the country addresses the safety of its women. Not to mention sanitation for its poorest people (the two issues are often connected). I started going to Sri Lanka as an alternative and they're very much in need of tourist income at the moment.

Go on the damn holiday

Oooh I wouldn't. If you are single with no dependants maybe you can pay that off in a few months and save some more besides.

While you are away the debt will just be earning more interest. Debt is only good if it is for investment eg property or business. Debt just for life and stuff will never end well.

God don't be daft, I spent 3 months there and yes it's a culture shock but also an amazing place with incredible people. Perhaps you should have got out and wandered around a bit. Btw, you do know Africa is a continent not just one country ...

Mumsnet will always tell you to avoid debt at all costs, but there are loads of variables. Can you move your existing debt to a 0% card, can you borrow this new money at 0% and pay it back before the promotion ends. How much the debt is relative to your income/outgoings etc.
If you have good enough credit to get a 0% deal and the holiday is on some sort of offer at the moment (it does sound cheap) and it's somewhere you've always wanted to go, the do it! If you're honest with yourself and you can't afford your existing debt then don't do it. Understand your wanting to get away. Everything feels like a bit of a drag at the moment.

Apologies, I see you said African countries

What a your work situ?

Are they interest free cards or not?

"I am right now in a mood of fuck it, you only live once and can’t be frugal always!"

If you paid off your debt you wouldn't need to live so frugally. Yes, you only live once, how much of your one life do you want to spend in debt?
People refer so casually to being in debt, as though it's unimportant. You have spent money that you don't have. You owe money to someone.
You'll get on a lot better in life if you learn to live within your means.
Pay off your debt, don't add to it, only spend what you have.

Do you know how much debt you have - exactly - or is 'several thousand the sort of hand-wavy guess that could be well under the real number?

How much is it costing you? Unless it is on - and stays on- a 0% deal, credit card debt is one of the most expensive sorts.

And most importantly, why are you in debt? If it's because you can't afford essential bills, then you certainly can't afford £2k holidays.

If it's from non-essential spending then clearly you haven't been living frugally so don't need a break from doing so.

If it was from a one-off unexpected expense and you're generally doing OK, then you can pay it off fairly quickly, and go on your expensive holiday next year when you don't have debt.

If op is £2k in debt then they obviously don't earn enough to keep afloat. Op has come on here because she wants to go on the trip even though she can't afford it and will be just putting it all on CC and wants others to validate it for her. Pay off your debts then book the holiday for next year or the year after op.

LOL... you're in denial about money. Selling off your house to pay your debts?! Where are you going to live?

My ex was like this. He went bankrupt.

Op has 'a few grand' of debt. Based on how they specify 2k for the trip, I'm guessing it's significantly more than 2k of debt, and they are minimising the actual amount. Could be five figures. On top of that they say they are 'just getting by' - so they can't afford to increase their debt.

If they are going to sell their home, maybe wait until that's done, then see what they have one their debt is paid off.

It sounds like you're wrestling with a decision that involves balancing your desire to experience something you've always wanted (a trip to India) with the financial realities you're currently facing. It's completely natural to feel torn in situations like these. Here are a few things you might want to consider:

1. Financial Stability:

• Assess your current financial situation. If you're just getting by and have credit card debt, it might be wise to prioritize financial stability before taking on additional expenses.
• Consider creating a budget to see if there are areas where you can cut back or save money to help improve your financial situation.

1. Credit Card Debt:

• Paying off existing credit card debt should generally be a priority over accumulating more debt. High-interest rates on credit cards can make it challenging to dig yourself out of debt.

1. Long-Term Goals:

• Reflect on your long-term financial goals. If the trip aligns with your values and long-term plans, you might find ways to make it work without compromising your financial stability.

1. Alternative Options:

• Explore alternative ways to experience what you desire. Maybe consider a shorter or less expensive trip, or find ways to save for the trip over a longer period to minimize the impact on your current financial situation.

1. Emergency Fund:

• Having an emergency fund is crucial. If unexpected expenses arise, you'll be better equipped to handle them without going further into debt.

1. YOLO vs. Responsible Planning:

• While it's true that life is short, finding a balance between enjoying the present and planning for the future is key. It might be worth finding a compromise that allows you to experience what you want without jeopardizing your financial well-being.

Ultimately, the decision is yours, and it's important to weigh the pros and cons based on your individual circumstances. If you decide to go, consider doing so in a way that minimizes financial strain, such as finding cost-effective accommodations or planning a shorter trip. If you decide not to go now, you can always work towards making the trip a reality in the future when your financial situation allows.

Fairly sure op will either have booked or not by now, in the intervening 10 months

Fuck it mentality is fine for the odd small treat. An expensive trip when you're struggling day to day is just reckless.

If you really want to go use that as motivation to pay off that debt and save for the holidays. You will enjoy it a lot more re knowing you can pay your bills when you get back.