pay off my visa

About a week ago I got a call from my bank saying that my account might have been compromised. This really isn’t anything new; I’ve had them put a hold on my account and call me to say the same thing about a year ago. While I was on the phone with a representative from my bank he informed me of an option to help me with my ridiculous Visa payments.

I won’t be able to do this until I can keep a balance on my Visa, which I doubt will happen anytime soon now that I’ve started schooling, but because I’ve had an account for so long he said I could apply for a loan. It was tempting when he was telling me about it, but I denied it for now, because that extra money after my interest payment comes out usually goes to groceries or whatnot. When I’m able to keep a balance and educate myself about this loan business more, I could save another 2-3% in monthly interest. Definitely tempting, considering how helpful my 8% interest drop has been since I switched cards.

I suppose it’s something to consider for the future. I really want to get this debt out of my way so I can wrack it right back up again with traveling.

Well, Visa isn’t helping me out much with this one. They must like the fact that I’ve only been able to make my minimum payments since April, so they’ve upped my limit again. I know I can call and get them to lower it, but I can’t bring myself to do it. I’m on leave from work and have other bills to pay, so maybe this was the universe’s way of saving my ass. It’s hard to say, but a part of me appreciates it.

I’m really eager to get back home just so I can resume working and make more than my minimum payment (which I’ve only been able to do thanks to my amazing parents). I’m quite thankful that before I came up here I got my interest lowered. I can’t believe how long I waited to call them and ask if they could lower it; my mother pestered me about it for years. I was getting hit at 19.5% interest, and now I’m at 11.5%. It really makes a different when you owe a considerable amount.

I want to get my balance back down to $0 (or reasonably close) within the next year or two. It’ll be a tough process, but I’ve done it before, so I’m determined to do it again. No more long-distance moves, damnit.