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 May 2015

A Debt-Free Wannabe Student Diary
So this is my first diary on here, thought it would be really motivational for me to be able to keep a record of my debts that I can update easily and also be able to read all the other wannabe diaries on here for support and guidance. About me: I've got an unconditional offer for a university course that I will be…
Determined to be debt free by 2017
So, today I finished reading the amazing debt free diary of skinnylatte and felt really inspired to tackle my debt come hell or high water. I will post my SOA later but know it's a depressing read. Six years ago I was debt free having been paid redundancy and cleared my credit card, fast forward and I am about £22,000 in…
Bust a debt!
Had a motivating few weeks reading all the debt free diaries and it's made me want to have a go. So, here I am signed up and ready to start a new diary! Yay..... I'm looking to clear a debt that the DH and I have had hanging about for too long...Around 4 years to be honest :( :( We do pay a massive chunk every month to our…
Time to take control!
Nothing like a redundancy to kick you up the bum! Hi I'm Charlotte, I used to be on the MSE forums years ago and then kind of fell off the face of the interwebs until I started my blog back up on my 27th birthday last month - now I'm back with a vengance! We've known for a while that I'm going to be made redundant but as…
Nervous - 2015 time for action
Hi, I have never posted on a blog before but its time I take action on my debt and this is the year to do it! I have 3 credits card that cause my debt : CC1 - 7,000 CC2 - 7,000 CC3 - 13,000 A lot of the debt occurred when I was made redundant while on maternity leave, and it took me a lot longer to find a job than I would…
Debt Free, Winning the Gold and Saving for a House !!
Hi, I've been reading these forums a lot over the past year or so and thought id start a diary for two reasons. One i need to find a way to make myself accountable and two I want to become even more money saving !! My situation is probably different than some, I don't have any bad debt. By that I mean my payments are more…
Finally Getting Debt Free
I'm 34 and before I bought a house two years ago I managed to clear all of my debt. Having spent allot on the house and taken out a couple of loans to pay for it I've found myself slipping further and further into debt. Running the house is costing much more than previously renting and I've found myself maxing out my…
Chasing Freedom!!
Hi everyone, Well, until recently I thought I already had my light bulb moment a few months back. Then the light bulb actually came on properly about a week ago, instead of just flickering on and off and I realise I was wrong!! We are a mid thirties couple with 1 child who lives with us and I also have 2 step children…
I like a challenge!
hello everyone I have been reading these forums for about a year now and have taken so much motivation from so many people. I have made some excellent headway into my debts but have decided to start a diary to make sure I don't lose motivation in the challenging times ahead. I have already paid off my catalogue in full and…
I want to break free!
Hello, I've decided to write this diary to hopefully document my journey to becoming debt free. I have been really inspired after reading other diaries and I really hope to be able to join the debt free roll of honour one day. A bit of background - my husband and I excitedly bought our first home in 2005 with a Northern…
Time to act at long last
I've been bimbling along since 2011 paying a DMP..some brief facts about my personal debt stupidity... I currently owe Barclays credit card (2008)£3300 Paragon - £1800 (2009)(virgin credit card) I have been defaulted on these 3... Moorcroft £7854 (2008)(sainburys personal loan, default expires Dec 2016) HBOS credit…
Taken the plunge
I've been browsing these forums for quite a while, and have always put off creating an account, although I have taken note of some of the tips and advice that have helped me over the past couple of years, I came to the conclusion that the journey to debt freedom would be better jumping in feet first to this online…
Cheapest way to withdraw coins and tips to staying on the horse?
I am an old poster who has let debt creep back in :o I've never really been very consistent at posting because I find myself whiling away too many hours and losing balance, but I hope I'll be welcomed back as I need to get a handle on it again. We are moving house thanks to a section 21 and this has highlighted the extent…
Dear Diary Love from Rebecca
Hi all My name is Rebecca. I am 35 years old ( eeek on Thursday) with a six year old daughter. Hopefully starting a diary will help me keep on track and look back on my spending. Last year I split with my daughter's Dad. He had a good wage but drank and gambled a lot of it. Anyway moving on I have less disposalble income…
Juicygirl's 'Will I ever learn?' diary
Hi everyone, I've been an MSE member and forum user on and off for years. I started off on these boards, fell away, came back, ended up on the MFW boards and now....... I'm back here again with more debt :o I've never had a DFW diary before and I'm really hoping that this will make a difference! So us: me, DH ( both mid…
The road to my money all being my own!
Afternoon All, Long time poster, but in a totally different situation now. Separated a few years ago, and left with a little bit of debt. Then divorced and bought ex out of house. Went full time at work, but much bigger mortgage now. While buying him out I also borrowed extra and got renovations done to the house, but of…
My absolutely changing my life, body, bank & brain diary!!! arrgh help!
Hellooooo, I used to write a diary years ago, but completely lost my way, but now I'm back, and now its me, with two toddlers (affectionally known as Roo and May) and a husband who works away a month at a time. I work 2 days a week, and have a big not quite finished, very messy house and garden. I'm struggling with my…
Pollgarter's plans to clear up her garden
Hi all I signed up to the Forum a few weeks back and have had amazing support, prodding and advice on steps to take to get rid of my debts, clean my act up and start looking after my finances rather than be a total spendthrift as I have been for the last, cough, um, too long. Since reading more I see that people use their…
This time....... It will be gone
Well you'll have guessed from the title this is not the first LBM or diary I have had but by jingo it WILL be my last. In short every Time I have had a LBM the total debt has gone up - my last diary was about 18 months ago debt was a shocking £37k managed to get it down by about £5k in 5 months. Thought to myself I've got…

★ ★ ★ 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