Should I travel if I have debt?

Can you leave the country if you have debt?

Man, this whole leaving-the-country-with-debt thing is a mess. I know, because it happened to my cousin, Mark. 2023, summer. He owed, like, fifteen grand on credit cards—stupid impulsive online shopping spree, he admits now. He booked a one-way ticket to Thailand. Thought he'd just disappear.

Nope. Didn't work.

First, his credit score tanked. His bank froze his accounts, practically. He couldn't access his money. Even online banking was blocked. What a nightmare.

Then the lawsuits. Collection agencies aren't messing around. They came after him hard. International collection agencies are scarier than you think, my friend. Seriously.

He got served in Bangkok. Can you believe it? Served. In. Bangkok. His vacation turned into a legal battle. He had to hire lawyers, spend a fortune on flights, and missed work—he was a freelancer, so no paid time off. The stress was insane.

It cost him way more than the original debt. So much more. Way, way more. The interest piled up, then the lawyer fees. Plus flights. Thailand became the most expensive trip of his life.

He had to take out a new loan to handle some of the legal fees, a loan he’s still paying off. It's a vicious cycle.

• Major Point 1: Leaving the country doesn't erase debt. It makes it much, much worse.
• Major Point 2: International collection agencies are ruthless.
• Major Point 3: Legal battles are expensive and exhausting.
• Major Point 4: Credit score devastation. This affects everything, long-term.

Mark's story is a cautionary tale. It’s not like a movie—it’s a real, messy situation. Don’t do it. Just don't. Seriously. I'm telling you. He learned the hard way. It's a super expensive lesson.

Can you go on holiday if you have debt?

Okay, holiday with debt, huh? Is it doable? Yeah, I think so. No rule saying no, right?

• DMP? Doesn't stop trips, apparently.

  • Like, seriously?

• Affordability is KEY. I get that. Gotta pay those debts.

  • My rent's due, so trips are out.

• My DMP payment...it's based on what I earn.

  • Holiday = less for debt? Not smart.

• A cheap getaway? Maybe camping. Tent's in the garage.

  • Camping in 2024, what a thought.

• Holiday affordability, must be ensured!

  • Prioritise debt. Period.

Like, my friend said something about micro-loans for vacation. Crazy! A terrible idea if you ask me. Pay off debt first! Seriously.

What happens if you can never pay your debt?

It's late. What happens... never pay it back?

It goes somewhere. Collection agency, right? They call. A lot. I remember one time, it was for... ugh, doesn’t matter. Anyway, phone rings endlessly.

• Haunted by calls.
• Yeah, that’s it. Calls. Endless.

Then... your score. Credit. Ruined. Absolutely tanked. Like mine was. Still is, kinda. Mortgages? Car loans? Forget about it. Years it takes. Years.

• Bad credit is forever.
• Feels like it.

It stays there. This debt. Hanging over you. For a long time. Or forever? Feels like forever. I swear, I had this dream... nevermind.

• Debt is a nightmare.
• Seriously.

There's more. Sometimes they can sue you. Wage garnishment… eviction from a rental. I had a friend, Mark, different situation, same result. Consequences are dire.

• Court and legal action.
• It’s bad, man.