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 2014

Step 1 - Admission! (Or be pushed)
Well over the last few years i got my self into small amounts of debt, which snowballed into around 20k in what seems like a blink of an eye. I realised the huge problem about 6 weeks ago when i was half way through the month, my account was as low as i could go, i couldnt extend an overdraft, i couldnt get a loan because…
How to be Skint but still Sparkle on the way to a better future......
Hi All First post to my diary after a LBM and much revision of these forums for some time I realise I need to get my finances in order one way or another.......(i'm sure there's a song lyric in there somewhere) The Plan Budget & stick to it. If it has to bought on CC, Overdraft, Loan its not being bought!! Make do & Mend…
First house, first real budget
My partner and I recently bought our first home together and with all of the new changes that have come in with regards to mortgages, we want to make sure that we are able to remortgage when the time comes. Since we moved in just before Christmas, we have opened a joint house account and make sure that all bills come out…
Where do you start?!
Hi all, I really dont know where to start with this one. Husband and I are in debt, quite a lot tbh. We recently received a 0% consolidation from our inlaws which we pay back monthly which helps purely by paying the debt and not the interest but it doesn't reduce our monthly outgoings. We have fallen into pretty bad…
Putting the theory into practice
:eek:I've just used the Snowball calculator :eek: 57 months and how much interest??? I don't think so..... So it's batten down the hatches time and use every MSE trick I know to bring this down from the 57 months quoted. This was probably a bad time to look at the Snowball Calulator as DH is soon to be made redundant…
Positive steps
Hi all, have been reading diaries and found such a lot of advice one in particular thanks to Shelbi about Dave Ramsey so have decided to give it a go and try his way as it makes sense and I have nothing to loose. Am in quite a bit of debt and on a DMP which I did myself, after paying a company about £30 a month for a…
Getting my life back on track financially
So my husband and I earn 49k a year and have 15k of debt. We have: Barclaycard 11k Vanquis 1500 capital 1 7500 aqua 600 very 1200 I pay all minimum payments on time. I am going to pay an extra 20.00 off c1, vanquis and aqua every month to chip away at those debts. Very will be paid off in July 2015. The barclaycard we hope…
need to sort this
Hi everyone im new her.not sure were to start but il give it a go.i need to clear my debt.they are gettin me down and effecting every part of my life. Im a single dad.ive had my daughter on my own from 6 months old which has changed my life dramatically.the last 4years have been a struggle with child care costs etc but my…
will be debt free and on the saving bandwagon shortly...
Hello, Im 26 and live with my OH who is also 26, we've lived together in rented accommodation for 7 years, which suited us fine while we were both in uni, I graduated last year and went straight into full time employment. We are desperate to buy our own house, literally all I think about haha! Our parents are unable to…
Looking to the future!
Having read through a few inspirational diaries, I have decided to join up to money saving expert and attempt to get our own finances in order! We have far too many years floating along with expensive debt that we make payments on time for but never seem to dent! Having kept a spending diary for a week I now realise that…
Lbm
Hi everyone. I am new on the forum. this is my first ever post but I have been lurking for a while where to start its just been one thing after another this year :( last year I managed to clear £2500 or just under of debt in around 4 months currently I have about the same amount of debt but for some reason no matter how…
New day, new me..
So, here it goes. The journey is about to start. I'm 29, live with OH, work full time, and have been rather good at spending more than I earn. I've had various bits of debt since I was a student, but turning 30 soon has been a bit of a turning point. My light bulb moment infact. My debt at present is: Overdraft: £1950 CC1:…
My third and final diary...debt free by 25
Evening all!! This is my third and final diary, I don't have a lot of debt, but I have very bad spending habits which mean I end up taking out payday loans far too often. I've decided to take my head out of the sand once and for all after realising I don't have any savings to my name and nothing to show for myself even…
Time to destroy the debt
Time to destroy the debt. After finishing University, moving from one of the cheapest places to live to one of the most expensive and going on a massively expensive three week holiday to the states I managed to build up quite a bit of debt. At the worst point it was just over £8400 but I’ve already managed to bring it down…
Get out of debt in two years.
So I have decided I have had enough. I have 7K in debts and I am going to aim to pay them all back in two years. I knew things had gotten bad when I woke up with £4 in bank today. So I am going to ring a few companys and see what the minimum they are willing to accept and see where they go from there. Powell 15/2223…
Embarrassed...
Well after starting off stonkingly well... I've spiralled out of control and i'm worse off than I was I feel soo embarrassed. Emotionally a few things happend and I just went off the rails, buying things to make me feel better and going out to avoid sitting at home.... thinking I'm now 2 weeks before payday and I have a…
Trying to be good
Hi All I have been a member of this site for a while now, but haven't really participated, however I have now decided the time has come to really try and get on top of life and try to save some hard earned pennies in order to move house. I have decided to start this diary to try and make this a more possible prospect. I…
Got My Prince Charming... Now It's Time To Turn Myself Into A Princess
So I have been on and off MSE forums for a while now... I have what I think are light bulb moments but they have yet to stick completely. However my current situation has got me wanting... no needing.. to change my ways for the better. April last year I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the man of my dreams. He's…
Closer to 30 in age and debt...race to pay!
Hello there! :hello: I'm not what you would call new around here; I've been a long time lurker and avid reader for a good many years but I've finally decided to start a diary as my life feels like it's running away with me....along with my debt! A little background, because let's face it - we're all nosy and want the dirt!…
Growing up and settling down .. The diary of a spendaholic!
Hi all thought I would start a diary as it may be good for my money tracking and helping me stay on target! So a bit of background on my debt, current total debt stands at £3824.18, whilst I know this isn't a horrific amount, it is something that I would rather not have! The debt came around as 3 years ago a relationship I…

★ ★ ★ 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