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2026 - consolidation and calm
I've decided to start a fresh diary for 2026. 2025 was a bit of a rollercoaster year for us: * My post being put forward for redundancy at the end of 2024, though it was then reinstated thankfully * Restructure at work meaning many great colleagues (and loads of knowledge) going * DH's redundancy at work, then finding a…
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Making 2026 a debt busting year
Hi all So, DH and I have been in debt for years, mostly credit cards, and decided to make a real effort last year to start to clear them. The aim is to have them all paid off by the end of 2027. We have no mortgage but do have a loan for some for some work on the house which will be cleared in April 2028. We started 2025…
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2026 - The year I sort my finances and declutter my life!
So, I am feeling a bit fed up at the moment - no real reason in particular, but somehow over the last year I have amounted a total of £8032.20 in debt. Various things have happened to contribute to this, but I think 2026 is my year to wipe this out. And I only live in a small house which feels a bit overwhelmed with stuff…
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Next steps; grip-relaxing bimbling, and avoiding the temptations
Time, I think, to start a new diary. My first was about removing our debts, paying off our mortgage and working towards, and through, the first few years of not working. I don't call it retirement at that point, because a wealth of volunteer activities were taken on or continued, and a number of hobbies aspired to or taken…
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Keeping afloat till I can get round to the debts!
So here goes with a brand new diary. With the financial situation across the country as it is I'm going paycheck to paycheck and debts seem to be going up not down. It's time to take stock. Focus on the money actually lasting the month and forming a new plan. I've never been one for following the American debt fella but I…
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You can’t pour from an empty cup, the road to self care
As 2024 is almost here I think a new diary is in order. I will be spending New Year’s Eve alone, not for the first time, the difference being this time I don’t have a significant other who would call me, and make sure they were the first to wish me a happy new year. I will not dwell on what has been lost, but focus on what…
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Starting the journey...the road is currently bumpy.
My debt has always been there, nothing major - the odd holiday on 0% which is dutifully paid off then rinse and repeat. Then things changed, 5 years ago I lost my mum to Cancer - she loved life and was taken too young. From this my attitude changed, holidays booked, things bought, paying for friends - I wanted to live in…
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Weight loss and healthy eating for a debt free life
I've been thinking about this for a while and I've seen a few other people mention weight loss so I wondered if we should have a thread. There's a giving up alcohol one but obviously we can't give up food. I also realise that not everyone with a food buying problem is overweight. I overbuy and some of the overbuying was…
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Three years to get debt free
Morning, I have had a diary on here before but had to close it down. I am a single mum with an 8 year old DD. I have found myself in debt since the age of 18 when I went to university and have been in it ever since. I decided to change this in 2017 and then found myself a single parent in 2018 and having to attain more…
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Moving on with things
I have debated posting this for a few days or so. One of the main reasons I wanted to post an update is because recently I said goodbye to my car for good having made the decision to lease another electric car through my business. A decision I simply think I wouldn’t have made without having been on here. My wife and I are…
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10 years later yikes
Hello all Here again for round 2… my first diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4529627/can-i-do-it/p1 I’ve just looked back at this and as much as I really thought I knew what I was doing, it’s crazy to now see 10years later here I am. I was in my 20’s and ambitious and honestly looking back on it now how…
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Becoming debt neutral - a long haul!!
I'm starting a diary here as I have decided that I want to start focusing properly on becoming debt neutral. I have been thinking about it for a while now and started the process a couple of months ago but feel that it's the right time to start a diary to help keep me on track as I have a horrible habit of spending…
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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…
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We will get this debt down & the savings up
Several years ago I joined MSE with a different user name, but then it all went a bit wrong with losing job and other things, so I sort of fell by the wayside. Now I have created a new profile and am starting again with more determination. I have read so many people's diaries and can see that it helps you focus and it is…
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My debt free plan for 2026
Myself and hubster have decided that we need to finally clear our debts. 5 years ago we bought a house that needed a lot of work that has swallowed all our spare cash, around 70k to date, it's a very small house and it has been updated rather than a full reno. It was just very old fashioned and the bathroom hideous. We…
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Reining it in for retirement and sanity
Hi all No idea why I got booted out last time - don't think anything in my thread was inappropriate - but then lost my email password and couldn't get back in so back again(!). Background - Female, mid 40's with 2 young DC (6&4). One has additional needs. Live with them and DH. Work full time as does DH. Previously lots…
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Time to banish the debt.
I've been a lurker on here for a while now and kept meaning to start my own diary but for some reason or not I haven't, I now know it's probably because of the shame I'm feeling. I've had some kind of debt for as long as I can remember but never to this extent. 8 years ago I had just paid off £3000 on my credit card and…
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Moved: Trying
This discussion has been moved.
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Don't hit me with those negative waves Moriarity
I have lurked for a long time on this forum, then joined and lurked (and lurked some more). Maybe should have gone with an Adams family reference for the title but ho hum I'm here now. I think I'm ready to start a diary even though I've had one running through my head for months as I had my light bulb moment back in…
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Buffy and the Mortgage adventure
Good morning, I don't know if anyone will remember me here as I have been away for a while. I am about to get a mortgage finally and money is going to be very tight. Squeaky tight! I am buying my sisters out of Mum's house, I lost Mum in 2024, it was a very bad time, the worst time. Aside from the grief, the money side has…
