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Debt free diaries

Archives for February 2013

Almost there...
4 weeks to go (to the day) and I'll be totally debt-free. I'll only have direct debits and standard living bills going out the account. So if I can live without Broadband, phone, pet insurance and NHS Pre-paid prescription, I would be even better off. It took time granted, but 100% worth moving to interest free's and being…
3rd Time Lucky ... Lets hope its the last time!
Hi all I'm back again :o After an awful few months I'm nearly ready to start clearing the debt again. I have a friend I owe I'm not including because this isn't being paid yet and we have an agreement in place already (This isn't a rush to pay back) The debt today stands at Friend £3140 Payday loan 1 £425 Payday loan 2…
Scrimping Back to Happiness
Hello folks, I read some of the posts on here in my long journey to becoming debt free. I finally started to post on the site today, so thought it only fitting to share my story with others in a hope to prove that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I, like many others, was on the receiving end of the late 90's and…
Need a Plan!
Hi, I have been reading the Debt free diaries and feel very similar but have decided to post my own. I am married with 3 children and have about £30,000 debt which has accumulated over the years. I have a large mortgage (£900 per month) as it has 4 bedrooms and my eldest is at University. We both work but never seem to…
Beginning of a Dept Story
Hi all, I have been reading a lot of the Dept Free Diaries and it has inspired motivation for me to clear my dept so i can start saving and really enjoy life. My dept started when i worked in the city and applied for my first credit card with 0% interest and 5k limit although i didn't need to use the card i used it for a…
the very long but happy road to being debt free
Hi everyone I used to have a diary on here a long time agobut stopped coming on here and now I feel it’s time to start again so I reallyhope no-one minds yet another diary. Last week I found my diary from 2009 and I was devastated tofind that my debt has almost doubled since then however I am definitely happierthan I was.…
Since my S.O.A...
So, since posting my SOA (found here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4383971 ) We've made these changes... Student loan now paid off (well, overpaid but will claim what we're owed back) so we're up another £219pcm. :T We've switched our phone line/broadband service to a more suitable package for less than…
Taking control, 1 penny at a time
I've been receiving the MSE email for a while now and lurking about reading forums for inspiration, but I still don't feel in control. I am hoping by keeping an online diary and actually participarting on the forums will help me take control of my money situation again. I don't have a lot of debt. I made the mistake of…
Going to nail it once and for all
So im back 7 months after being debt free to find that yet again i owe money Its all come about due to a house move for us, the most stressful expensive housemove ive ever encountered. Anyway house is lovely and big. So much space. And settled now. Only we owe my mum for a new washing machine after the last one died and a…
Silly spender digging out of a big hole...
Hey everyone, I saw this thread a month or so ago and it inspired me to work out my debt problems. I felt the idea of keeping track of things on here is a good idea so here I am :D Thread is trying to pat everything off by lea_t88 I'd like to start off by saying I'm an impulsive buyer at times and sometimes go out of my…
Catriona's Credit Card Countdown
Hi All, I have long been jealous of all of you wonderfully disciplined people who slay their debts ruthlessly with each pay check! I have been lurking on here for many years, and learned a lot. I have tried to budget, use comparison sites, signed up to Quidco and market research sites, grabbed bargains and downloaded…
Positive Thoughts
I've been thinking a lot recently about my money and I desperately want to clear it, currently I owe about £944 on one overdraft and about £769. The overdraft is interest free at the moment but come September I know they will take it off me so I am anticipating that and aim to pay off £130 a month and also meet the minimum…
Redundancy questions
Need some advice for both my boss and work mate.boss gave him his redundancy notice 12 weeks gave him it 08/02/13 to finish 03/05/13. He is 46yrs old gets £330 week wages redundancy £7590.00? He has told boss he has found new job and wants to leave early 29/03/13 does he still get same redundancy payment and holidays run…
Buffy takes babysteps.
I have thought long and hard about starting a new diary, yet another one! Little bit about me- I have a job I don't like at all and some debt to pay for an operation, a new car and the rest of my Masters. I did previously have loads of debt and paid it off but decided this January to borrow the money for the Masters and Op…
Get good with money diary 2013!
Hi, newbie here. I originally started reading these forums in 2011 when we were struggling with around £50,000 worth of debt. Since then I have entered in to a DMP with StepChange but I am still useless with money and I need to change. I'm currently a SAHM to my 3 year old DD and my 1 year old DS. I am looking for work…
Pen's new beginnings
What a lovely sun shiney day to be given my redundancy notice on :eek: Its ok, I could be in a worse position. We do have a small other income. I wasn't enjoying the job, the mileage was awful and the job was very stressful and ate into my own time. But its still a bit of a change after over 10 years. So I really do need…
The Rambler Returns - JCD's debt free diary v2
Hello everyone, I'm Joanne :) I first joined MSE back in 2007 and started a DFD which was a place to house all the ups and downs of being employed, unemployed, taking a stab at being self employed - and failing. Good days, loves laughs ramblings about life and my constant struggle dealing with depression. But life's not…
Keeping up with the Jonesy
Hello Everyone :wave: Having been inspired my several diaries on here, I've decided to write my own :) Its more of a log really to check progress and jot down my thoughts - I tend to have ideas and forget rather then act on them. I have a lovely spreadsheet from which i do my budgeting but it cant tell me whether i'm…
there's no better time...
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Time to get realistic!!
Evening, after having my LBM not so long ago its time to face it. First up is what we owe, worked out a lot more than we thought. Next up is outgoings, again more than we thought. Its proving hard! Dh is self employed, has more coins than pros. I too am self employed, not earning anything after rent and products so leaving…

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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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