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Debt free diaries

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

New life - debt free
So it appears I am separating from my partner of almost 14 years. Things are very amicable and I hope they will continue to be as it's going to be some time before we can go our separate ways. We have a house with a mortgage - the current thinking is he will buy me out as I can't afford to buy him out. Then I will buy…
Taking back control
I'm a married mum of 3, I work full time, husband works part time with health condition and 3 children, 1 due to go to uni in september and 2 others at secondary school. I've been a lurker on MSE for years and became debt free in 2018, however when Covid hit myself and my husband were both hit hard as relatively newly self…
Admitting my mistakes
Hi I went on maternity leave and was lucky enough to have a Sabbatical year after. However I missed money I’ve never been good with money always spent more than I had. This started when I went to university. My husband has no idea I’m in debt, I got a 2,500 loanto pay off our joint credit card and then still have managed…
Don’t know where to begin.
So I’m in approx £30k of debt. Credit cards. The husband and I have both spent on them over the years though not just me. I cut corners every month, try to avoid spending luxuries. I’ve not bought any clothes since before Covid. My only luxury is getting my hair done every 8 weeks. I’ve tried paying more off the cards but…
Budget 2022 junk free diet
Hello, I'm going to try and stick to a budget this year. A bit about me: Moved into first owned flat 2.5 years ago. It was a complete dump with no kitchen so I've nearly finished off paying £7k for a new kitchen. I was renting for about 12 years before then and spent 60% of salary on rent 😱 I've not had any spare cash to…
My journey to a better debt free life
So, Christmas is by with, Time to focus on me and the debt. I don't get paid for another 2 weeks and am kind of low on funds. I have £1600 of debt that I want at LEAST half-cleared by December this year. It would be too ambitious of me to say all of it cleared as I don't earn enough to pay out more than £100 per month. The…
Decrease debt or make savings
Hello, everyone! I'm not very good at managing money. I have around £4000 in credit card debt and £1000 in savings My tax return is expected to be around £2500. Should I use all of it to pay off my debt or shall I pay the debt from half of it, and save the other half?…
Life is not a rehearsal- time to take back control........
The title of my diary pretty much sums things up for me at the moment. I recently turned 40 and with it came the realisation that this is it! There’s no dress rehearsal - I need to stop putting life on hold until debts are paid off, until my son is older, until I have more time etc. I need to start trying to live my best…
2022: maybe this’ll be my year
Hello everyone I have been a member here before a long time ago. I am in a place where I really want to tackle my debt and I’m going to start with some intro about my past and how I got here. I’m in my late thirties and I’ve been in debt since I was 18 and went to university (all credit cards). I paid over £15k of credit…
Missy’s family of 4, paying off debts, saving for a house and just trying to survive!
Hey everyone! I thought I’d start a new diary as my focus has changed slightly, link to old diary is here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6078055/family-of-4-paying-back-50k-in-4-years-whilst-trying-to-live-eco-friendly#latest So a quick background. I’m 38 mum of 2 (May who is just 7, and Roo who is 8) and…
Munchin’s intentionally living with less diary
Hi diaryland, I’m back again and hoping this diary will keep me on the right track to cut down on my frittering which is still an issue. So I’m a bit early for 2022 but I’m easing myself into it gently because I want to by the end of 2022 have my wasteful spending/frittering under control and to have both an emergency fund…
Two years to debt free! Let’s do it
I’m very new to the site and want to start a diary to get my targets down and keep the focus going: A single mum with two grown up children you would think I’d have it sorted but noooooooo. I’ve borrowed to support education and quite frankly I spend to cheer myself up so it’s time to get this thing under control. Debts…
Lifestarts has a 5 Year Plan!
Hello Everyone! I'm a long time lurker on these boards - I've probably been hanging around here for about 15 years & had a couple of different usernames over the years. OH and I have a fair amount of debt between us however it is debt that has been taken on knowingly (if that makes any sense) with a plan to pay it off. We…
Help with old debts
Hi guys, Basically about 5/6 years ago when I was in my early twenties and in a bad relationship/situation I racked up a bunch of debts circa £10k (credit cards, a loan and overdrafts) started a stepchange payment plan. It got too much for me to be able to afford to pay and after i moved house i just stopped paying them…
Dolly's Diary 2022 and Onwards
2022 and I've decided it's time to start from scratch on MSE. I've been a previous user for a long time but I am back at square one so closed my old account and started again (same username). Looking forward to earning my badges again! My aim for this new diary is the following; * Be debt free by March 2025 * Have an…
The way forward....
Hi, So I have been reading through these diaries for the past couple of years whilst managing my own debts along the way. Then middle of last year with more time to think due to lockdown I finally had my light bulb moment. So how do things stand. Well I am married with a young daughter at school, both of us are in full…
Starting fresh with good intentions
Hey there, long time reader, first time signing up and posting though. This year is bringing a lot of change in many respects, I can't be as specific as I like out of paranoia someone/anyone I know is also on this forum lol. But I ended things with my OH recently after quite a few years together, I instigated it this time…
Journey to £0 by 2020, with a few bumps along the way
Hi everyone! Just been reading some diaries on here and thought I need to add my own. Hopefully I will get some encouragement or just stop myself going insane :rotfl: A bit about me; I'm 34 and live in Berkshire with my partner and our 3 year old son. We are getting married next year so am saving towards that, plus we have…
Surprise Debt!
Hi all My husband and I have been going through some extremely difficult times. I haven’t been coping well, but trying my best using yoga & meditation, walks in nature etc. I wondered how my husband was coping so well. It turns out he wasn’t. His coping strategy was secret gambling, spending and drinking. He admitted all…
Dolly's DFW and Beyond Diary
New year - new diary. Say this every year but I really am aiming to keep this one up to date with all the highs and lows, unexpected and expected expenses, needs and wants, splurges and saves and everything in between. My aim for this new diary is the following; * Be debt free by March 2025 * Have an Emergency Fund (EF) *…

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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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