Progress on the Interac Association 21 Day Credit-Free Challenge
Recently I shared that I’d be participating in the Interac® 21 Day Credit-Free Challenge and set aside my credit card for 21 days and use my own money. The idea is to live within my own means and avoid incurring more credit card debt. How good would it feel to be debt free?
Today I have an update to share on how the challenge has been going for me so far.
When I started the challenge I took Gail Vaz-Oxlade’s advice and froze my credit card. Literally. It’s sitting in a bowl of ice in my freezer as I write this.
I have to admit that I was a bit apprehensive about freezing my credit card and committing to this challenge especially as we approach moving day and the costs associated with that. On the other hand it feels good to know that once we are all moved in and settled there will be no surprise credit card bill for it all!
I am already pretty careful about some of my spending – we already do meal planning (Gail’s day three tip!), price compare etc… I generally do like to shop though so the hardest part of the challenge is not spending money online on things we don’t really need.
I did need to order a new desk as my current desk snapped in half when we moved here and it’s currently held together precariously with a board my dad screwed into it to hold the two pieces together. I didn’t see the point in moving the desk again, and since I got the desk when I was 14, I thought it might be a good time to upgrade to a newer model.
Thanks to the Interac 21 Day Credit-Free Challenge website I was able to pay for my order without needing to hand over my credit card. How convenient is that?
–While I have been working hard on only spending my own money, I’ve also been working on paying off my credit card debt. Gail makes a great point on the tip for day 6 about paying more than the minimum to get your debt down faster. I’ve been taking a percentage off each cheque I have received over the last few days and put it directly towards a payment against my credit card.
So far the Interac 21 Day Credit-Free Challenge has been going quite well, and I feel pretty good about not incurring any new debt. I think we have made some positive changes in our spending habits and been able to make room in our budget to pay off our current debt.
Want to join me in taking the Interac 21 Day Credit-Free Challenge to help kick-start a return to better financial habits and to speed up getting out of that debt?
It’s easy to get started. All you have to do is sign up with your email address at 21DaysCreditFree.ca to receive daily financial guidance to help you get debt free faster.
Disclosure: This post was part of a sponsored collaboration with Interac Association
Interac is a registered trade-mark of Interac Inc. Used under licence.
I think I could do this very easily but I like to use my credit card to collect points 🙂
This is such a great idea! It’s sssooo easy to fall into the credit trap.
I don’t have any credit cards, so this would be so easy for me!
I would love to do this. I recently got 2 credit cards and although I’ve been very good with them, I would like to not have to think about them and make sure I don’t use them!
I think it is super interesting that you are able to literally freeze your CC. I only use mine when I have the money at home for purchases which has helped me to get far financially.
The the Interac® 21 Day Credit-Free Challenge sounds like a great idea. It is important to know where you stand in your finances and not live beyond your means.
I’m glad you are having success in this challenge. It’s an amazing feeling to not incur new debt. It can be hard to not use your credit card.
I am pretty much totally against using my own credit cards. Always a regret!
I do not have any credit cards, but I have seen others have much success using this challenge! Anything to help remain on budget and move forward is worth trying!
I need to go look into this challenge. We have been working hard at only spending what we have and paying down are cards but do find ourselves still using the credit card from time to time.
We are doing something similar and it’s really paying off! A lot of our debt has been removed in the last three months alone!
This is an awesome challenge. It sounds like such a good learning experience. Credit card debt can really put you in some tough spots.
I know I could easily do this. I only have one credit card and I rarely use it. I usually use it every few months. I try to use it at least every other month.
This sounds like a fantastic challenge. I am going to try this next month. It will be an interesting adventure.
I already live a cash only life. I do not have any credit cards. If i need to use one online a buy a prepaid card. This is a great challenge.
Great post! I remember the day we decided to pay off all our credit cards and be debt free in that aspect was the greatest! We still have a house payment and car payment, but that’s it!
Credit debt can be a huge problem for people! Keeping debt-free keeps people to their budget!
i used to use cc wayyy to much. i have been trying to use them less and cash more. originally it was really difficult but it gets easiers each week.
We were credit free once. That was until a bad few months when my husband lost his job and the air conditioner broke. We will be again someday soon.
This is a great challenge. That is how my husband and I paid off our card, it is so much easier to make a clean start.
I can do this because I gave up my credit cards a long time ago.