In December last year, I did something I had never done before in my adult financial life: I went into debt.
I paid for a private health procedure, and with the total cost landing somewhere between £9K and £11K, I made the decision to put a portion of it on an interest-free finance plan rather than drain my savings or use my investments. The plan gave me 10 months to clear the debt at zero interest, so as long as I stayed disciplined and paid it off before the window closed, I would essentially be borrowing money for “free”.
I just made the final payment today! approximately 6 months ahead of schedule 🎉
Carrying that debt was not something I took lightly. Every month, £500+ left my account before I could even check my payslip. This debt sat in the background of every financial decision I made over those months, a quiet but persistent reminder that a significant chunk of my income was already allocated before it even landed.
Paying it off today did not just feel like a financial win. It confirmed something I had suspected but never fully understood until now that I’ve experienced it: I deeply dislike being in debt.
💡 What this experience taught me
Before this, my view of debt was fairly straightforward.
Consumer debt on credit cards, bad ❌
A mortgage or student loan, more acceptable ✔️
But this experience introduced me to a third category that does not get nearly enough attention, and that is strategic, short-term, interest-free debt.
The 0% finance option I used is something the UK system does very well, and it is underused by people who could genuinely benefit from it. Many private medical providers, dental clinics, and some home improvement companies offer interest-free finance periods ranging from 6 to 24 months. When used correctly, and with the discipline to clear it before the promotional period ends, it means you are borrowing money for free while keeping your savings and investments intact.
The critical part is the discipline, because if you miss the window, the interest rate that kicks in can be eye-watering 😭, sometimes between 20% and 30% APR. This strategy only works if you treat the monthly repayments as non-negotiable, in the same way you would treat your rent or a utility bill, which is exactly what I did.
Here is how the numbers looked for me:
By treating the regular repayments as non-negotiable and throwing lump sums at it whenever I could, I cleared it in a fraction of the time. The relief is I feel cannot be fully captured in this email 😮💨.
If you are ever faced with a large, necessary expense and you are offered an interest-free finance option, it is worth considering rather than dismissing outright. The tips are simple:
Know exactly when the promotional period ends 📅
Set up a direct debit so you never miss a payment
And read the full terms so you are not caught off guard by the rate that kicks in after the interest-free period.
Debt is not inherently the enemy. Unmanaged, high-interest debt is, and knowing that difference can genuinely work in your favour 💪🏽.
💰 While we are talking about making money work harder...
With the new tax year arriving on 6th April, NOW is a good time to check where your savings are sitting. If your cash ISA is earning less than 4%, you are leaving money on the table.
XTB is one of the apps I use for investing, and right now they are offering a 6% AER boosted rate on their Cash ISA for new clients who open an account between now and 30th April 2026. Here is what that looks like in monetary value compared to a typical 3.4% ISA:
You can also get a free stock when you sign up through my link or my code CHIDERA
Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.
🎓 The Money Method: Cohort 2 waitlist is open
Last week we wrapped up the first ever cohort of The Money Method, my 6-week money and investing programme, and the feedback has been awesome! Read the testimonials here →
If you want to be first to know when the next cohort starts and get £50 off, join the waitlist below. Places are limited and waitlist members always get priority access.
🎥 Video of the week
This week’s video covers 5 critical money moves you need to make NOW before the tax year rests on April the 6th. Time is running out
Clearing that debt five months early confirmed something for me: there is a big difference between money spending your money by choice and watching it leave your account every month to cover a debt.
One is a choice. The other is an obligation, and I am so glad that obligation is behind me🙌🏽.
XOXO,
Chidera 💰