We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More » This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Debt free diaries

Archives for June 2009

Today is a new day!
I have been reading some of the diaries on here and have found them really motivational and positive. There is a sense that everyone is in the DFW state together, and supporting each other on the way to be DF. Thank you! My story, how or where do I start? I am a widow, my husband was murdered 5 and a half years ago. Still…
Live on £4,000 for a year - 2009, Part 3
Live on £4,000 for a Year - 2009 Challenge Part 3, July - September 2009 Part 1 - January to March 2009 Part 2 - April to June 2009 Part 3 - July to September 2009 Part 4 - October to December 2009 Part 1 - January to March 2008 Part 2 - April to June 2008 Part 3 - July to September 2008 Part 4 - October to December 2008…
Its only one card...how hard can it be?
Well in the grand scale of things my debt is small, so small as to be almost insignificant compared to some but to me right now it feels like a heavy weight and in the rapidly dimming post holiday glow I am finding it growing heavier. So I have decided to get it sorted as soon as I can. So as of July 1st my debt is £812.52…
Not so much debt, but lifestyle!
I've been lurking around here for quite a long time, and am truly an MSE convert! I'll start by giving some background stuff... I'm turning 22 this month, and while I'm not exactly in mountains of debt, I feel like I shouldn't be in any! I live at home, currently rent free (but which will change to a nominal amount once…
Robot's dream of being debt free.
I'm currently £5600 in debt. I've just finished my SOA and I know what I need to do but I think keeping a diary on here will keep my focused. Main expenses are purely due to lack of planning!! Because I'm in mid-distance (he's about 70 miles away) relationship I tend to buy a load of food then stay at the OH's for a couple…
Incoherent Ramblings of a 40 year old...! My diary, my words..
:hello:Ok, now where to start... I am yet another DFW.. I have been lurking around the world of mse for a while now, have poked my nose into many a diary and joined some challenges. I have done my SOA and will post it at some point. I am in LOTS of debt... but have taken my head out of the sand and am now in the right…
NoDebtDiva's No Nonsense Debt Busting Diary
I have had enough! I started off so well 12 months ago when I came across MSE, but fell off the wagon. In real terms I have only cleared £700 from my debt although I have closed 2 accounts. My DFD is scheduled for July 2012 but ONLY if I can re-focus and stick to my plans. So I've decided to go public to give me the…
Whenever I have Cash I Usually Spend It
I have a problem. I am willing to admit my problem. And I want to solve it. Whenever I have cash or money in general I spend my time thinking how I am going to spend it and usually don't have the self-discipline to save it. I imagine buying all those things I previously did not consider (because I did not have the money)…
the debt free, slim, makeup artist challenge!
hi my name is floris .. im 40 yrs young, married, with a beautiful daughter of 10 i came across this forum whilst looking for help, after discovering my husband had got us into arond 20 k debt initially i was ready to leave, but when the shock eventually wore off and he confessed that hed hidden most of the debt to protect…
Saving for a new SMILE diary
I used to have a diary, but i sorta fell of the MSE wagon so i am going to start a new one. I don't really have debt as such, i owe my OH some money, but he has said i can pay that back when i can, so i'm not going to include it. Obviously i'd like to pay it back ASAP but he knows and is happy that i want to save at the…
Shellgirl's Smart-price Value No Frills budget
Hi all, If I do this in public then I can't back out... The basic story is that myself and OH have far too much month left at the end of the money. We have debts that were run up by us not knowing when to stop spending, and generally having far too much fun for our budget. We've been tackling these for about two years now,…
my first months spending diary - OMG!
My soa came out that we should be okay, but only just. Every month, like a lot of people on here, I ran out of cash and couldn't work out why. Me and OH have £80 cash each for sundries every month but it never lasts the month so this month I have written down everything I have spent and can now see exactly where it has…
newbie here, how do i add the mini challenges to the bottom of my posts?
have searched the forum over, but cant find a link to customise my posts - would like to set myself lots of mini challenges !
My new start to clear my debts.
I have transferred this thread from another as it may keep me motivated to improve my finances by posting regularly in order I may learn some lessons. Today I have spent all day trying to make sense of my finances. Tomorrow is payday and we are due to go on holiday however as usual haven't saved any money for it. I phoned…
What's your biggest downfall?
I work in Soho and my biggest downfall is going for lunch!!! There are so many nice places to eat it's too temping! What's yours?
Gattina's Diary
Hello! I'm happy to see this sub forum up here. It's good to talk about these things to get motivated. My downfall was big spending - sticking a holiday to the Maldives on a credit card and then living on overdraft, credit card for university, then getting loan to pay that off, etc etc.. anyway - Started paying off Debts a…
A whole new, shiny "debt-free" me........
Well hello, hello!! This is actually my 2nd attempt at a diary – but please don’t hold that against me! I hereby promise to be much more faithful this time round!! ;) So – my story? Well – I’m a typical 20-something girl – with an avid passion for shoes (Well actually – shoes, bags, belts, jewellery, and just general…
My diary to keep me on track!
Just thought i'd update this. I have finally, after almost a year got myself a decent job with what I think is a decent wage :j. Some of my debts have gone up due to charges and interest added but they have now all been frozen and creditors are excepting payments of £18 per month, which I am hoping to increase to £150 in…
Gingernutbizkit's Debt free by 12/12/12 diary - AKA how to get rid of £178k debts!
Hello. Welcome to the start of my brand-spanking-new debt free diary. Many of you may have seen my previous diaries and will know that I have already paid off a fair amount of my debts..... this diary marks the next step in my debt free quest. So Why a new diary? Basically because my situation has changed over the past few…
Another lose weight and get out of debt diary!
Hi All Another day another 'I want to lose weight and save money' diary :p , and I'm half way there; my mother is kindly paying for me to attend weight watchers where I have lost 3 stone 4 pounds in just under six months, I have another 5 stones to go on my weight loss journey, but I have only just had my LBM (April 09)…

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

View All

Debt free diaries

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free

Debt free diaries

Discussion List

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free