Just under 6k credit card debt, what would you do after step brother's comment?

[user50000a]

6k is interest free for 2 years from yesterday. i want to go on holiday in November...massive trip which will cost in region of 4k. the reason it is so much is that it has been in the pipeline with a friend for a long time and it is 3 weeks in Oz. i know there are cheaper places to go etc etc but this is the plan. i wouldn't be borrowing to spend this, it would come from my income.

i mentioned this to my step brother who was of the opinion that i should be paying off all credit card debt before considering going anywhere or doing anything. i get where he is coming from but the debt was to buy a car and was cheapest way of doing it...he had the luxury of his dad buying his car outright and is constantly given handouts and going on holiday.

it has still made me feel a bit guilty though. i could feasibly pay it off in the interest free period while also going on this trip, but obviously if i go on the trip and then the boiler breaks etc then that may change things. so not going on holiday is of course the safer bet. there's always balance transfers to consider at the end of the period but then you never know if they will be available!

just interested in what other people would do...

What I’d do is not discuss my finances with my brother, and I would also not dream of expressing an opinion about a sibling’s finances as it’s none of my business!

If you can afford your trip and will pay off the credit card before the end of the interest free period then crack on with your trip and have an amazing time!

I would not bother in the slightest worrying about what my step brother thinks, why would you?

If the boiler or car or whatever breaks you put that on the credit card, it might up your monthly repayment or slightly extend the period but that's normal life

You do what you want. Not what someone else thinks.

Your finances are none of your step brothers concern, and its easy for someone to spout off when they have everything handed to them on a plate.

Unless you are spending money that you owe him he needs to wind his neck in!

Enjoy your holiday🏖️

I'm surprised that your brother knows how much your credit card balance is. I'd tell mine that the holiday would cost £4K (if asked) but I wouldn't have mentioned the car bit.

he had the luxury of his dad buying his car outright and is constantly given handouts and going on holiday

Well then, he doesn't really get to have an opinion, does he? Well, he does, but he should keep it to himself.

Ignore him OP and enjoy your trip!

Go on the trip.

Pay the card off over the next two years as well.

It's none of his business what you do.

Although it's nothing to do with him, I do think your step brother has a point.
It's far too easy to get into debt that can soon spiral. Some debt can't be avoided when it's for important stuff, like replacing a broken boiler or fixing a broken down car that you need to get to work. Other debt, such as the holiday you describe, is completely avoidable.
I would calculate the amount you need to repay each month to pay off your interest free debt before the end of the interest free period. Set that up as a standing order rather than just paying minimum monthly payments. At the same time set up a saving system plan that will help towards paying for that holiday but only when you've saved enough to go. Australia will still be there!

Stop confiding in him

Actually, having just reread your post, if you earn enough to be able to save for the holiday by November, then you should be able to pay your credit card off after that well within the interest free period.

Just go, keep paying off the card in the meantime ignore him.

If you can do the holiday without adding to the credit card and are being honest with yourself that you can pay it off, then enjoy your holiday and don't discuss money with family.

I agree with your brother that if you have the credit card debt you can't afford the holiday. But it took a decade of me being up to my eyeballs in debt and clawing my way out to realise that spending money I don't have on things I don't need isn't wise.

It’s your money, your debt. If you owed him, then it would be different. A ton of people have big car loans but still go away on expensive trips. I find those who often have it easy are always the first to pipe up about what you should/shouldn’t do