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Debt free diaries

Archives for May 2021

I’ve only gone and done it! New start here we come!
Hello! Some of you may remember me from previous diaries documenting my journey to pay off all my debt, save a bit and eventually give up my teaching job and move back to Wales to be closer to ageing parents and a disabled sister. Well, the big news is that I’ve only gone and done it! I resigned last week and will finish…
Debt free by 40
I have been binging on diaries in the last few weeks, I didn't read any books since and watched very little TV. I love all the life stories and I feel so inspired and impressed, seriously amazing people around here! A few I have been reading recently are @CRANKY40 @girlatplay @WinterWarrior @Debt_Me_Out_Of_Here @Naomim and…
Did full and finals, can I get them to delete info I gave them re health?
Hiya, to get companies to accept my offers, I disclosed some serious issues re health, not just of my own but more importantly family members who I have to care for. I was wondering, can I get them to delete these details now for the sake of privacy?
The Ups and Downs of my Emergency Fund
After many years of being in debt, from my early twenties to my early fifties I (well we) managed to get out of debt, including paying off our Mortgage. But I still can't manage to get a decent Emergency Fund under our belt. Each times we get a half reasonable sum ie. £500 some expense comes along and we are back down to…
Virgo In Pursuit
This is my first DFW diary on my journey to become debt-free. For those who don’t really follow the zodiac, Virgos are known for being perfectionists and control-freaks, I tend to tick the boxes except when it comes to my finances. A little bit about myself, I am over 30. I think I enjoyed the freedom of my twenties too…
could this be withdrawn?
Hi Everyone, As part of our snowball method we are lucky to have quite a big chunk of our debt on 2 barclaycards that have an offer of 6.9% for the life of the balance. This is good as it saves us a lot of potential interest. We're doing a snowball method so at the moment we are just paying the minimum on these 2 cards and…
Building The Goode Life
I've written and rewritten this post so many times, explaining exactly how we got to this position. Our debts are relatively low now, around 3K, after years of fighting a 15K monster. I wrote how the debt isn't our fault, how other people's actions left us with no money to pay the bills and feed our children. That's mostly…
Seasidegal's Scrimpy Retirement Diary!
Hi there!😀 Having finally retired from work last Friday as my State Pension kicked in, I have decided to start a new diary as I begin the next stage in my life. I began my first diary on these boards in 2014 when I was 58 and in £31,000's worth of debt!😱 I realised time was fast approaching to retirement and that I needed…
The Next Phase
I became debt free a week ago , so have decided to start a new diary to cover my journey to working part time when I am 60 in 19 months . Retirement completely will depend on certain factors , so for now I am aiming to be doing 2 days a week starting jan 2023. I want to try and save as much as I can in the next 19 months…
Starting again ... again
Hi all, Welcome to my brand new DFD! I used to frequent this forum under another name but decided to delete that account and all its threads because I realised I had posted some information that would make it easy for people who know me to identify me. So I planned on starting again, but left it for months and months, and…
Done it! Grateful to so many of you who shared their own challenges. You often said what I couldn't.
Thank you. Yes you if you have posted in any way in this debt forum. The stories and the responses picked me up because I realised I wasn't alone, life could be worth living despite debt and people cared. Sourcrates stood out, the advice to so many helped me breathe when at my worst. a. The date of your lightbulb moment At…

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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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