34 crisis - but am I being irresponsible?

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7k credit card debt, none of which incurs interest for well beyond a year.

I’ve bought a house, have a car. I pay more than the minimum payments on credit card. If I haven’t cleared it all by the end of the interest free then I will do a balance transfer.

I want to go on a trip. I’ve done very little with my life when I look back - lots of box ticking (good job, bought a house, own my car etc). I’ve never really DONE anything though. And I’m panicking about it a bit.

I’ve considered spending some savings on a trip. It will leave me with only a grand to my name (technically in debt as I will still have the credit cards). I save a little each month, maybe 200-250.

Would you do the trip? Is it irresponsible? I’m so conflicted but at the moment feel like I’ve always been working to exist rather than live.

It’s not that I think the trip would change my life. I am actually happy with my life hence why I wouldn’t want to sack in the job and travel around for a year.

I’m dissatisfied with the fact I feel I’ve lacked experiences. This would be an experience and push me out of my comfort zone. That’s the reason for wanting to go.

I guess I just think if I don’t do it, i’ll just be working and paying stuff off forever. What’s another 5 months on a balance transfer if it comes to it. But then that’s maybe reckless. I don’t know as I’m usually very cautious!

I think it's clever to not pay off the credit card yet as it's interest free. Makes no sense to, so I agree with you there.

The question is....after your trip away and using your savings, would you still be able to pay the credit card off when the interest begins? If so you should do it!

Then do it !

Russell I would probably have to rely on a balance transfer. Which worries me. Although I intend to save as usual between now and the next 18 months so would have that to put down to reduce further if I couldn’t find a balance transfer offer.

Last resort would be asking family but I definitely don’t want to have to do that!

I would look at what else you can do for that money.

Are you going to Las Vegas for two weeks or are you going turtle watching in Madagascar? Will one of those give you a better sense of achievement, of having done something?
Two weeks in Benidorm or two weeks trekking the in a trail?

I'm not saying don't go, you seem to have a grasp on your situation and can understand the need to do more but it would depend on the what

And yes I could probably manage the interest but would feel like it defeats the object of the risky credit card route 😂

It’s Asia and it’s full of activities each day and travelling round. It is expensive but I am happy with what is on offer for sure.

Having never been anywhere much outside Europe I am a bit safety conscious so probably paying a premium to try and achieve that. Which is my point really...I’m good at my job but this scares me and I want to take some steps to change that

Go for it OP. You're sensibly using real money not loading it into a card, your repayments etc aren't coming out of this saving so it doesn't affect that.

In your situation yes I would.

Any chance of getting some sort of unpaid leave? A couple of weeks is really not very long. And the price is high; is it an all-inclusive, fully organised holiday? At that price hopefully packed with sky-diving, visits to exclusive resorts etc?

Activity travelling around Asia!!?
Yep - go for it!

I'm too slow, doing two things at once
You know you can organise the payment, and it sounds like a fun trip. The downside would only be if you came back thinking that now your money was gone and that was your last chance to live before settling into middle age!
There are other, adventurous things you can do, even in your home country, many without spending huge amounts, and which make you an interesting person who's really lived. Quite apart from the holiday, have you thought about spicing your weekends up a bit? Doing something meaningful, or totally meaningless but thrilling?

Sounds very expensive for what it is. Flights and accommodation are so cheap as are activities etc once you get there. Challenge yourself to get it cheaper. It's easy. A tour package is restrictive

£3k to do some activities in Asia for TWO weeks? That's nuts!! By time you've lost two days to travelling and then more days to jet lag you'll have no time to enjoy yourself. If it's travelling between activities you'll be stuck on a bus or train for so much time you won't get a chance to actually experience the country and culture. It'll be hotel, bus, activity, hotel. On repeat! For £3k! You'll get a few nice photos and souvenirs, but no actual experience of the culture or the people.

If you want to go somewhere different I'd suggest one activity and actual experience a country.

If you fancy dirtbiking I can suggest a tour company in Cambodia.

Scuba diving in Thailand?

Hiking in Nepal?

But hotel jumping in Asia will be the same as hotel jumping in Europe. Waste of money. A lot of money!

The 3k includes the flights. I thought it was expensive but not crazy given it’s all organised for you... but as a new traveller I’m anxious about it and probably like the security of the organisation

So it’s an organised tour of Asia for two weeks with activities? I still think it’s expensive sorry but I get as a solo traveller it’s a safer option.

But as someone else pointed out you will spend most of your time travelling by bus or train with very little time to yourself to go out and see the actual country you’re visiting. We did something similar in Canada years ago and it was horrendous. Nearly every minute planned for us and no chance to get off the beaten track.

You don't need that holiday, you need to get rid of your debt. You can have a couple of nice weekends away for far less. I think you need to focus on getting rid of the debt and enjoying and worry free treats after

Asia is a little harder, if you are facing a different writing system. And now you have got the idea of this particular holiday, it probably would be exciting as a "dream come true".
But if you're setting aside 3k for holidays, tbh you could get five pretty exciting holidays out of that.

I guess that’s true that I could do more trips with it. I’ve looked at Europe though - where I would be comfortable going alone and on my own intieanry - and to be honest it seems expensive, looking at around 150 for flights (including bags), then a few hundreds on hotels and food even if for 5 nights. I’m conflicted!

Have you been to a travel agent or just gone online?

Both. I know people who have used this company so I am confident about it. I do ink it is pricey and I wouldn’t do it for a trip usually - it’s because this is very out of my comfort zone!

Use Google Flights to search for the cheaper flights - I'm travelling from Germany to the UK in Feb. and it will cost me €50 return for flights. Play around with the different functions, such as looking within a range of dates.
Booking.com is good for cheap hotels - read the reviews rather than looking only for 4 stars. Just spent 5 days in Malagá, double room in a very nice 2* near the station for €208. Hostels are also actually good if you're travelling alone, as there are other people around. Or a little place with a kitchenette, then you can just buy local supermarket food, which is fun in itself. Airbnb is great - had a little studio in central Marseille for a week in October, €240.

e.g. [https://www.google.com/flights?hl=en#flt=LHR.PRG.2019-07-30*PRG.LHR.2019-08-05;c:EUR;e:1;sd:1;t:f London to Prague]

try again ... London to Prague