In my December update a full year had gone by since I last checked in and after a lot of thinking, researching and delving into our credit card statements (and a few tears I might say), I have a much better understanding of how and why our debt soared again this year. The ironic thing? We didn’t struggle to pay our bills monthly for the first time in probably a decade! One reason is that we didn’t have gigantic medical bills because I have a better, almost fully funded insurance package now at my job as opposed to my husband’s high deductible plan and weekly amount taken out of his paycheck. AND the fact the deductible I do have ($3,000 as opposed to $6,000), is fully funded by my employer in the form of an HSA account. What an amazing benefit to us. I also paid off a home equity in 2022 so we had a full year without that payment.
I wanted to get down on myself, however, looking back we truly did some amazing things and accomplished ALOT! So, no more looking back only looking forward in 2024. Alrighty?
Ok let’s see how we did on the one credit card debt in January.
Last update the ending balance for December was $9,971.14. After the period ended, the interest added on for the month was $136.01. So I started January at $10,107.15. I made two payments to this credit card totally $890.68 this month. Right now the balance is $9,216.47. I could pay more but we have property taxes to pay at the end of the month so I am going to give this card a rest. We will see what the interest is after the billing period ends the 29th.
I think we did good! In the $9,000s again and that makes me feel a bit better.
Goal for February: Definitely getting the balance into the $8,000s.
Question for you now, do you have more than one credit card?
Until next time -MM
The Professional Domestic 
We don’t have any credit cards at all lol. Just direct debit. Saying that though, we paid off our mortgage in 2014 and paid cash when we bought this house. We paid tuition fees for all 3 of our children to go to uni, but the last one graduated in 2015. Health system in France is different to the US. We pay our monthly contributions plus an extra health insurance which is approx 170€ a month on top. And when we need anything medical, including expensive things like hospitalisation, surgery of even things like CT scans etc, we don’t pay because of the French health system. Only health costs left to our charge are dental and glasses.
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It sounds like you live pretty much debt free Claire and I am so ready to live that way too. It is just going to take us a couple more years to get there, but my patience is definitely getting tested.
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We have one credit card, but keep the balance at $0, however, that was a long time coming! Just keep after it, and maybe have 6 month “fast” on anything extra to see how much you can pay down. Or try 3 months to see if you can really hold tight and make a big dent?
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Ugh there is always something that comes up. I don’t even want to tell you want happened last week. 😫
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