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Debt free diaries

Archives for January 2012

Turning 30 n changing my life!!!
Soooooooooooooooo, here we go!!! Briefly, in our house we have me (29....just clinging on), DH (33), DD (4) and our DS(1) and the furry one, K. Dh is a joiner and we've had a couple of mega bad years, me not working (had DS n my place of work shut....well boss did moonlight flit while I was preg) and DH's work being VERY…
20 years old, overweight, no job and in debt.... It’s time to fight back!!!
So where to start? With my debt? With my weight that never goes up or down? My zero job prospects? Or maybe even my sometimes bleak and depressed outlook on the whole situation? Well like any good story I better start at the beginning, then with all you guys help we can get into an entertaining middle and hopefully there…
Debt Update - Jan '12
Well after all the Christmas festivities, turning 25 (older but no wiser!) I thought it was about time I did an update on how I’m doing. My debt hit it’s worst in September when I finally plucked up the courage to sit down and work out how much I owed. Things were much worse than I had imagined….. £12k debt and not a lot…
Debtbusting not Sales Hunting
I've really enjoyed reading these diaries, so thought my own would keep me motivated. Oddly, I've not totalled up my debts to get an exact figure, but I know my loan is just under £7k and my cards /store accounts come to roughly £2600 :eek: Just seeing that written down scares me. I live at home, and even though I drive I…
Need to stay motivated!
Hello everyone! Just wondering how you all stay motivated? Payday was on the 24th, all bills have been paid, all debt repayments made, pet food bought in bulk for the month, done a big monthly shop and now have £15 left for bits and bobs throughout the month - till next payday! (Anything left over was added to the debt…
Lucky Louise's Journey to Paying One Debt in 2012!
** Deleted **
Clippy's 'the final debt' diary
Hello all :hello: so i have been on here for about 18 months now. started off owing dad from a uni loan he took out for me and my cc to buying a house and adding to that debt with a loan from mum for furniture etc.... debt therefore went up massively as i had already booked a v expensive hol before i bought my house. went…
debt advice
hi i have rbs one account facility 0f 52000 which is now 7500 behind target and 12000 credit card debt all on low interest i am 51 and recently had to change jobs cutting my salary from 45000 to 22000 a year although i have never defaulted on any payments as any one any advice can i combine all my debts and have a new…
LBM at last
Well...here we go. The LBM has finally happened. Hubby woke me up this morning to say that we were £200 over our overdraft limit with no money until Tuesday. Total, nauseating panic. He then admitted that he can't cope with doing all of the finances any more. So, as of today, I can no longer be an ostrich and keep my head…
Starting a new chapter - meplus6 fight back....
Hello :wave: After nearly 4 months recovery, its about time I sorted out the mess that is my life. I am hoping that writing it all down will mean I am more likely to address the issues than think "hmmm, I'll do that in a bit...", which is what I have said, umm, too many times to count :D OK, so long story short, I…
HelenPie's Big Year
Hello :wave: I've started a diary before but a long while ago. I don't think I'd had my true lightbulb moment back then. 23rd November 2011 was the day I came back to MSE and, two months on, this is the longest I think I've ever actually made an effort to stick with my debt-free mission. I'd say LBM achieved then :j I'm…
oppps I did it again
I can always tell when I am getting into a bigger mess, I subconsciously end up back on MSE. For the past week or so I have been using an app on my phone that tracks my finances, and then yesterday I got the Council Tax final demand :( Long story short I sat down with MrsDNO and talked about where we are up to, we are in a…
Can someone help?
SORRY IF IVE POSTED IN THE WRONG PLACE !! I am in the depths of despair and desparate for help. Some years ago,not sure how many years, I took out a loan!.I was struggling to pay it back,as my husband had left us.The bank suggested I consolodated my two accounts and increased my loan,which I did. I had undergone ECT for…
do i cancel pension to help pay off debts
hi, im 38 and have been paying around £25 per week into a company pension. Do i cancel to help pay off the mountain of debt i have?
30 and ready for change!
I've been so inspired reading through various diaries that I've decided to start my own, I hope it will spur me on! Will do SOA etc when it's not so late but for now my goals this year are: - have a happy and healthy year with OH - pass my teaching induction year - get debt free (if this is possible!) Best wishes everyone!
There once was a debt named credit card...
Hello! Newbie lurker here - finally plucking up the courage to post my own Debt Free Diary after reading so many of yours over the past couple of weeks : ) My LBM came in fits and spurts over quite a chunk of time. It flickered and tried and flickered some more, and is finally shining like an old school bulb, not the slow…
Saving £1k a month every month, can I do it.
Well as the title says my aim for this year is to save £1k a month. This is to add to the money I already have saved so OH and I can buy a house. On paper I should be able to do this but in reality, well I never have. So this year I am determined to do it. We are lucky in that we only really need OH wages in order to…
Life begins at 30......
I think the old saying says life starts at 40 but that's another 10 years on top of the 4 that I willing to be in this situation for, so no chance! So i'm 25, 26 in a few months (gulp) and determined to be debt-free by my 30th birthday. I have been posting a few bits and bobs on here but having a full-time job I sometimes…
No idea how I got here but need to get out of this place!
So following confession time the current household debt currently stands at a gobsmackingly outrageously huge::eek: Halifax £10813.50 - finishes August 2016 Mortgage £120300 - repayment Due March 2037 Mortgage £205000 - interest only Due Sept 2030 Barclays £25000 - finishes Nov 2016 Santander £9300 - finishes August 2014…
A diary, for becoming debt free......
I meant to start this last night, but i put it off again! So here goes...... I'm guessing that a quick explanation of circumstances would be the best way to start. OH and i have no joint debts, but money is passed between us (more him to me of course ;) ) Me: Income- Wages= variable (0hrs contract) £450ish this month Tax…

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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.

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Debt free diaries

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