-
Freedom and Independence.
It’s been a long journey but this year I see the light at the end of the tunnel. After a toxic relationship I had gone from being 20k in savings to 20k in debt. I lost more than that though, I lost myself. I’m nearly back! 20 years later. This year I will be debt free. Have an emergency fund. And pots for savings,…
-
TizerCat learns to stay debt free.
I am pleased to say that on 1st Jan 2025 I will be both debt and mortgage free. However, this is the second time I have been debt free, and last time I was back with £20k of debt within 5 years. This time I must learn to stay out of debt and to save as I only have 8 years until I retire.
-
Scam email? Or legit?
Hi all! Does this look legit or a scam email? Thank you Good Afternoon, I trust this message finds you in good health. My name is John Maxwell, representing Money Wellness Group. I am writing to formally notify you of a matter of utmost importance. We have received a legal complaint on behalf of the following institutions:…
-
lender has just stopped taking payments
Hi, One of my debts is with a company called Elfin Market. It's a peer to peer lender, and I owe them around £1500. I have a direct debit set up, however I have just realised that they have not taken any payments since August. The Diredt debit it still active. I have not received a single contact from them - no emails,…
-
I’m taking control of my life, now.
Hello lovely MSE-ers!, :) I have been a user of this site for many years but created a new username on 3rd Jan because I had doubled the debt and I was so embarrassed! So here I am, £40k+ in debt. The reasons (excuses) are many and varied, so I won't dwell on the past. However, our current situation is good, good income,…
-
2025 - A Year of Saying NO
I am £10,000.00 in debt and 33 pounds overweight and it stops right now!!!! No more, enough is enough. The tide has turned and money is going to start flowing back to me and fat will gently slide off my body, leaving the healthy, wealthy and wise woman that I am destined to be to emerge ...... the phoenix soars in 2025. It…
-
Link finance and Kearns solicitors
I have four debts that Link finance have been persuing for the past 10 years that amount to £27,000. I have made numerous offers to settle the debts for around 50% of the full amounts over the past 10 years but Link always demanded no less than 85%. So I have paid £1 per debt per month since 2014 as token payments until…
-
Getting on track
Hi guys. I have finally decided that not only am I useless with money, but I can't try to go it alone any more and expect things to get better. I am seeking the advice of the MSE sages and looking to try get a hold of my finances. Could someone please point me in the right direction for how to get started, I assume by me…
-
10,000 steps, 1 step at a time.
As always with the start of these, long time lurker, first
time sharer. This past year I’ve become very serious about my finances and it’s
paying dividends (excuse the pun!). The purpose of this post and blog is to
share my journey from the past year, what impact it has made, and be a record
going forward of what happens…
-
Huge Ovo debt
Just before lockdown I answered the door to a caller who wanted me to save money by changing my energy providers I said I couldn’t as my bills were paid by fuel direct from my benefits as I have had mental health and mobility problems . She assured me everything would stay the same if I changed my mind I could go back to…
-
Low Mood Highlander :(
I don't really know why, I posted in the main debt free wannabe forum. I am doing ok, gone down from £30,000 last September to £16,000. Unlikely to be able to be debt free by this time next year but you never know. Although I am budgeting for Xmas etc I know, due to all birthdays, car MOT and service and Xmas I will…
-
Diary of a 30-something idiot
Hi everyone, I've been lurking on MSE for a LONG time desperately trying to ping my reluctant brain into some form of lightbulb mode. My life is imploding around me and my ADHD brain is constantly seeking dopamine and for years that has been through the form of impulse purchases, which obviously has caused me some huge…
-
Broke and lonely with it
Hi, i just need some help to keep myself accountable for getting my bills brought up to date after a spell of no income and no savings. Basically i left a well paid career due to stress and now earn a lot less than i used to. I do have cc debt from when i could afford to borrow it but have decided theres no way i can pay…
-
My debt free dream
Hi everyone I've found all your debt free diaries and updates so motivating.. so I've decided to start one for my own accountability and motivation! I started out with £13123 total debt, mostly on CC, but hoping to make my first payments towards them at the end of this week! Aqua - £5021 Vanquis - £3500 Capital One - £2702…
-
Nearly 40 and had my lightbulb moment!
Hi, I am currently on a journey to pay off 3 credit cards. I have downloaded an app where I put the figures in and its given me a final date of April 2026 using the debt avalanche method. More than the minimum have been paid on time every single month but i'm struggling to build up an emergency fund. Its funny doing this…
-
Small steps lead to big changes...
I thought I'd start a new diary for the new year. It always feels like time for a nice fresh start, and whilst I don't really make resolutions, it's always nice to have a plan of things I'd like to achieve. After many, many years of struggling, it feels like my finances are finally on a more even keel, and I have for the…
-
Advice on Defaulting and DMP
Hi everyone I'm very new to all this so would like some advice on how best me and my husband can approach our debt situation. For background, this debt has been an accumulation of expenses since 2018 (from my husband moving from our home country to the UK, crazy expensive visa fees over the last years, parent's death and…
-
Experience of negotiating with Lowell
Hello, apologies if this is the wrong part of the forum to post this, I don't post very often. I've had a debt hanging over me since 2005. I've got £8000 outstanding which I've been paying a very small amount off monthly to Lowell who've had the natwest debt for around 4 years. They have written an offer letter for 50%…
-
Help with offer made by Lowell
Hello, apologies if this is the wrong part of the forum to post this, I don't post very often. I've had a debt hanging over me since 2005. I've got £8000 outstanding which I've been paying a very small amount off monthly to Lowell who've had the natwest debt for around 4 years. They have written an offer letter for 50%…
-
I just need to be better and develop some good habits
Hi everyone! This isn’t my first money diary, but a lot has changed since my last entry. My income has increased substantially, and I now have a partner. Together, we’ve been fortunate enough to buy a lovely home, valued at £700k. That said, my lifestyle has evolved—so much so that my past self might hardly recognize me!…
