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Debt free diaries

Archives for March 2019

Adventures within my budget
Hi all :hello: I have been on these boards for years and have cleared a large amount of debt from uni, holidays, overspending etc... :j However I am still useless at budgeting :o I am definitely a make more rather than cut back type of gal so even when I am frittering some of the 'more' away I still cleared my debts. I did…
New mindset
I have decided to start a diary to try and keep track of my spending and see where I go wrong, my triggers ect and good by writing it down it will make me think more about my decisions. So a bit about me? I am not in any debt anymore thankfully, but that’s only because I was declared BR in May 2018. However, I never want…
One small step or a giant leap
LBM Feb 18 24k debt Relapse Feb 19 Bolt Of Lightning Mar 19 17.2k debt I had my Light Bulb Moment in Feb 18 and after finding the forum in Apr 18 and religiously following the posts for 9 months had a relapse last month. I was taking small steps and good progress towards being DF but still had some little occasional vices…
Emzmom fresh start
After being on the dfw pages for a few months i think its about time i set up my own diary i think it will help keep my on the straight and narrow... I am a mom to my dd and i not only want to help myself be better with money i want to help dd as i was brought up money is easy come easy go....this is not how i want to live…
IVA Cancelled... What next?
Hi, I cancelled my IVA a year or so ago now, and then I was informed that the company who I held my IVA with went into liquidation. I’ve seen been managing my own debtors and am in a far better place than I was. I have checked the IVA register of which I am no longer on. Do I still have to wait for the full 6 years for it…
Credit Reports-free?
What's the best site to check your credit report free without them singing you up to anything? Read some awful revues about experian! Thanks in advance.
Need some control
I am starting a new diary as I've not updated the old one in some time and my situation has changed now I am back from maternity leave. The situation is me and my partner have to work full time to cover the mortgage and other essential expenses. Of course this incurs further expenses with nursery fees. Luckily work have…
Venturing Out of the Vault (of Debt)
Hi all. After a suggestion to start a diary in my first thread here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5983080/lbm-had-changes-made-advice-or-critique-welcome I have decided to start a diary to both motivate myself and record achievements (and errors) in my journey to debt free-ness. First off, some may…
Need to change!
Hi everyone! I guess this is my introduction! I am 33 years old, I work in a factory which I work 4 days on and I have 4 days off. I’m the sole earner as my partner is retired - there is a big age gap, but we somewhow work! :) I need to change, I need to start prioritising my debt (getting it shifted and not have my head…
New member , debt to sort
Hello Everyone seems so lovely here and supportive, hope you can help me too. To cut a long story short, we have been living beyond our means too long and its catching up. Debt is: 17k Barclaycard 14k Mbna 13k loan (for an extension we built) 20k loan was taken to clear Barclaycard and others 12 mths ago (ha ha card back…
Is it possible to request an account be defaulted?
Hi Not sure if this is the right place for this but.... I had a current account with Nationwide it went £50 over and with in days they added £100 of fees on top. At the time I was in a desperate place financial and just hid from it along with over £55k of other debt. I recently got a credit report and Nationwide have been…
Picking myself up and dusting myself down!
Hello Dear Diary, I have resisted starting writing you for a long time as I have been busy racking up the debt and knowing that I had to continue racking it up for a while. Now though it has to stop. A bit of background. I had paid off all my debts and cleared the mortgage, retrained as a health coach. I left my job and…
LBM had. Changes made. Advice or critique Welcome
Hi all. First off, let me start by saying I have been avid reader of these forums for quite some time, and a big THANKYOU to all the contributors to this board, who, without realising it, have made such a difference to my, and my family's, financial situation. *WARNING* long boring back story ahead :D I'll try and keep…
Clearing the debt for good
So I’ve posted my SOA below to see exactly where we’re at. Thought I’d run through a few points on it. Electricity is high because it’s also our source of heating and we owe money to the electric company Satellite tv includes, tv, landline, broadband Groceries is high because of our son’s special diet, he costs us £180…
Round 2 of Trying to Get Debt Free
So this is the first time I've tried a Debt Free Diary, although I've been using MSE for many, many years. My first big fight with debt came as a result of accumulated credit cards & consolidation loans, sparked off while I was at University, but was a shadow my husband & I lived under for most of our 20s. Eventually we…
My new journey to being debt free
Hi everyone So as the title suggest this is my new life journey im 32 and in September i will be 33 and i am currently separating from my ex. My aim by 35 is to be half way to debt free or completely debt free but i would like to go on holiday using sunshine this can work out to £10 a week. I am currently on SSP and UC but…
Now debt free ... Update ! Hoping this is the right place
I've had a few messages from some lovely folks wondering how I'm getting on since closing my thread after worrying I had given too much away and people IRL might find out about our debt problems. Anyway the update is to say we are nearly debt free but focusing on saving as much as possible whilst still enjoying life and…
Can I do it by myself?
Hi everyone!! I remember when I was young I assumed I’d be married own a home and have children by 30-40..unfortunately not true. Not all bad though, I have a loving partner and 2 children .......and a horrid online slot gambling addiction. I had debt way before the gambling started which I had under control with a DMP,…
I've Hit Rock Bottom. Time to Get Out.
Hello, Long time lurker of these forums, but I wanted to start a diary to keep myself accountable for the journey I am taking currently. Im a 28 year old male living in Wilthsire. My Story I wasn't always in debt. Up until the age of about 20 I was fairly frugal, I was earning the minimum wage and didn't have stacks of…
DMP & Mortgage
Hi All, First post :-) A bit of background In 2014 I lost my job and finally had to face up to all my debts, just short of £47,000 including a none secured £25k from my mortgage lender. After seeing my pants, growing up very quickly and fortunately getting a job sorted in a month or so. i entered into a DMP through Step…

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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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