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Debt free diaries

A place for MoneySavers to share their journeys towards debt-free living.

Things can only get better
Unbelievably my very long running diary of 5 years seems to have been deleted :( Not happy about this to say the least:( Not sure what to do about it. Need my diary to keep me sane and on track. Had to swiftly come up with a new title, had been meaning to start a new diary but not this way. Anyway, in brief for those who…
2022 - Moving forward
I've decided it's time for a new diary for the New Year. Lots has changed over the last few years, and I'm finally at a stage where I'm on a bit more of an even keel with my finances. This means it's time to build up the savings, get the work on the house done, tackle the mortgage and clear the last couple of debts.…
Spending £10 per Week on Groceries
Although I am a newbie, I hope no one will mind me starting my own extreme frugal diary. I have been inspired by others and by posts on the Old Style board. My financial troubles are due to a combination of bad luck and stupidity/naivety. I don't want to give too many details because I am deeply ashamed; I ignored all the…
Time to start a Fresh part 2, 2022!
Hey all, I thought as it's a new year it's time for a new part to my Diary. Part one is here if you'd like to have a read along - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6231115/time-to-start-a-fresh#latest At the beginning of January last year I decided I would start my own diary as I've seen so many people be…
Giving Up/Cutting Down Alcohol Thread Part 17
Welcome!! Here we are again, time for a new thread, new starts and new challenges. Let's take a trip down memory lane and remind ourselves of In Search Of Me's original post on February 24th 2008 in Part 1: And here's what she started!!! Part 16 is HERE Part 14 and 15 is HERE Part 13 is HERE Part 12 is HERE Part 11 is HERE…
Put away your purse & become debt-averse
I've decided to start a diary to show that it's possible to change from a terrible money waster into a a bit of a budgeting ninja. OK, I'm not perfect....we all have slip-ups now & again....but I am proud that by my budget efforts & our surprising willingness to change from big silly spenders (we really were a pair of…
Second the best!
Okay, so here I am back again.I could quote a whole list of things that took me a step closer to being here - taking a second basic account, agreeing to convert it to a current account, applying for an overdraft, using CC for day to day needs but essentially just taking my eye off the ball. I had a DMP about ten years ago,…
5 months to emerge as a butterfly
“When you find yourself cocooned in isolation and you cannot find your way out of darkness… Remember, this is similar to the place where caterpillars go to grow their wings.” <3 Welcome to my new shiny diary :) I have been around this board for donkeys years now, I'm fairly good with my money but financially things have…
Changing my life, goals and finances!
Just under a year ago I started a diary on this forum: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6296292/time-to-clear-the-remnants-of-my-old-life/p1 The intention was to become debt neutral on my substantial interest free historical debts before I put in offers for F&F settlements. However, my priorities have…
A return to MSE with a DMP so I can be debt free
Hi everyone, my name is Pencakes and I joined MSE around 8 years ago. I'm single, 33 and live in the big old smoke. Living on your own in London isn't cheap, but I love my job and my little flat. I'm a huge motorsport fan (it's also my job, lucky me :D ), slightly obsessed with dogs and I'm doing the London Marathon in…
Dancing my way through the daily grind
Hi, long time lurker first time writer. I am self employed and my income fluctuates depending on demand for classes, my husband is fulltime employed and it's just the two of us and our two dogs. A bit of background, just under a year and a half ago my husband and I decided on a whim to start taking paying off our credit…
SOA budget advice
So I posted earlier about having 10.5k to pay off debts. I feel an SOA may help better understand our situation. Me and my husband are going through everything later this week to plan on reducing our budget and basically get things into the black. So I thought I’d post this on here so we can look at the advice when we go…
This debt has got to go before I turn 40!
I have started diaries before and let them lapse. This time I am determined. I really want to make some inroads into the debts that I have accumulated and start to build some savings. I’m a single, divorced mum to two lovely primary school aged children. I work in a reasonable job earning £35k. I own my (mortgaged) home,…
So close to the end, advice needed
Hi all, it has been an incredibly difficult journey, but by working hard and some luck I’ve managed to reduce my out of control credit cards (was £40k) to manageable levels and I now have a monthly amount to pay stuff off but now I need advice on what to do next. I’m planning to retire in 5-7 years and will have a lump sum…
To absent friends…
Just wanted to drop a little message to say merry Christmas to all on DFW Diaries - whether you post or you lurk, may you have a splendid time over the next few days. Also, I suspect like many others - those we have lost tend to be at the forefront of my mind this time of year, so I’ll make mention of Taxi & Kissjen - both…
*sigh* this may take a while
**updated SOA on page 155 dated 17th July for anyone who's interested!** I've been using this site for years, although I haven't posted for a while and my account seems to have been lost! However, I've decided to accept that as a clean slate :-) I'll post an accurate SOA over the next few days... but the short version is…
The time is now...
Hi everyone, So I've had debt for as long as I can remember, and it's always been manageable. But I'm conscious that any simple life change, such as losing my job or becoming ill, could mean I'm in trouble very quickly. I have about £1k in savings, but that wouldn't last very long if my income dropped. So my focus going…
The last obstacale: it's the path.
I am starting fresh for the last leg of this journey. In the last 16 months, I have worked really hard. I am more than 50% of the debt paid. Next month it should all be on 0% interest and payable by September. Then it will be saving, but let's not discuss that now. I am going to push hard to pay off as much debt as I can,…
Aiming To Finally Be Debt Free by 2025
Hi everyone. After a long hiatus, I’m ready to come back with a new diary and new challenge. For anyone that doesn’t know me, I’ve been on the forums for years on and off. I’ve got Cystic Fibrosis and am on oxygen 24/7. I’ve been in debt for as long as I can remember, but I’ve got a plan to pay it off once and for all so…
Late to the game – midway through my DFW journey
Hi all, I only recently delved into and registered for the forums, having long mined the main site for tips. Long story short: My lightbulb moment that debt needed tackling was right at the start of the first lockdown in March 2020. At the time I was earning little (around £11,000 freelance WFH, having devoted my time to…

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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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