A little reflection on 4 months of eliminating debt…

[boxmover]

@DebbsSeattle Congrats on your progress! I can also definitely relate especially to looking forward to checks and strategies for what to tackle next. Best wishes for you in the process of becoming debt-free!

[DebbsSeattle]

Feb 13, '25: don't know how to edit...milestone day and my busy reporting week is not yet concluded...hit EX 759 today as per the EX site...tomorrow should begin to show the ripple through on all other reporting platforms/version. So as of today I should be Fico 8 as 747/739/759. This might be the bulk of it for 60/90 days as I need to scramble up $8k to contribute to my 2024 IRA to avoid my $2k+ tax bill. I know my goals are debt free and 800+ but I am quite pleased with todays new high score. Cheers all.

[DebbsSeattle]

Jun 17, 2025:

Another update. Equifax=806, TU= 794, Experian = 797. $23,000 left on one card @ 15.24%. Need to see if I can flip it to a personal loan. Total credit lines now at $121k. I might try to see if a Bank of American 0% BT card is an option. Anybody have BT card suggestions? 

[FicoMike0]

I don't recall which cards you already have. The big problem I see is is getting a high enough credit limit on a 0% card. I'd look at amex, since they seem to go higher in cl. Another is nfcu, they offer 1.99%, but no transfer fee, usually a better deal.

[Kforce]

Thanks for the update, and congrats.

You are doing excellent, passing 6 month you have locked it habits and tools to see this to the end.

Should start getting a little less of a burden as the debt comes down.

Have no good info on BT cards, but hopefully those that do give you some suggestions.

[MrDuck]

It might be tough finding good BT cards. However now that your on your way, it might be a good time to look into some credit unions especially if you have a local one that might be able to give you a good loan rate that you could roll some if not all of the rest that you have left to pay off.

[pizzadude]

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@DebbsSeattle wrote:

Jun 17, 2025:

Another update. Equifax=806, TU= 794, Experian = 797. $23,000 left on one card @ 15.24%. Need to see if I can flip it to a personal loan. Total credit lines now at $121k. I might try to see if a Bank of American 0% BT card is an option. Anybody have BT card suggestions? 

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Congrats on your success in paying this down, that's a lot of progress in a few months!  

In this recent post, there was a 24 month / 0% interest offer mentioned from US Bank, with a 5% BT fee.

[DebbsSeattle]

July 20:

I applied and was approved at BofA for $13,000 on the BT card. I Got a bunch of cli kisses. Total credit lines = $138,500 now. Transferred between cards to those offering 0% terms from my existing cards and the new BofA. Strategically transferred to keep utilization in check on per card basis. I have been slamming money into IRA for tax savings just in time to ride this stock market wave...turning a ytd return of 24.86% as of market close on Friday...researching stocks is more fun than shopping and has nicely replaced any remaining addiction to spending. At least now I am spending for good not bad. $3000 on interest bearing credit card, the balance at 0%. Total debt down to $139k including mortgage. 

Biggest thrill was seeing my scores jump to 811/797/802. Money plan solid through Dec 31 and took a first run at 2026 last weekend. I should be able to pay off ALL non.mortgage debt, invest $40k and finally afford a real vacation that is paid for in 2026.

It is amazing me at how little I am living on but how little sense of "loss" I am feeling. I have enjoyed a couple of random shopping buys but more for needs than wants...like yarn for a baby blanket to make for a friend who is now medically cleared to begin "trying", a restock of the wine coolers on a great wine sale, a new Ego leaf blower and a wine decanter and glasses for a Christmas gift that was too inexpensive on clearance to pass up. These are over a couple months as compared to what would have been a normal shopping week before. 

Now that my auto score more than qualifies me for promo apr's, the desire to get a new car has passed...mostly because I know I "can" anytime I want or need.

More nose to the grindstone because I am by no means finished.

Cheers.

[difringe]

congratulations! that is an incredible amount of progress in a short time!

[Yasselife]

You’re doing an incredible job; and this post really shows your grit and determination. Watching that debt number drop from $164k to $143k in just a few months is no small feat. You didn’t just throw money at the problem; you changed your habits, took control, and made sacrifices. That takes serious discipline.

I really respect how honest you were about the struggle. It’s not easy to admit the emotional toll or the day-to-day grind of cutting expenses; and yet you’ve pushed through it. Switching brands, skipping luxuries, packing lunches; it all adds up, and you’re proof of that.

Also, those score improvements speak for themselves. From low 600s to high 730s in a matter of months? That’s huge.

I’ve been in a similar place with financial stress; and in my case, I chose to take out a personal loan through USAA to consolidate and simplify my payments. That approach helped me lower my interest and get ahead of the debt. What matters most is choosing a path that works for your lifestyle and sticking to it like you’ve been doing.

You’ve already built incredible momentum; keep that fire going. You’ve inspired more people than you realize.