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5 Years Come To A Head
So after 5 years of debts accruing (over £21k on 5 CCs), what I had been hiding came to a head early this week. I revealed to my wife that I had messed up; I'd built this debt without saying anything, without asking for help, without shouting for support. It's one of the hardest things I've had to do, and I almost…
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Lurker's forum: what has been your most helpful tip?
Hi everyone, I get so much from reading these pages: both practical help and also reassurance that there are so many kind people in the world who are willing to offer help to strangers. I wondered if anyone would like to just celebrate some of the things they have learned on this forum - or to call out the people on who…
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There is always tomorrow
We live on a smallholding in rural Wales. We don't keep any other animals than horses that are oldies now and it is only me and DH at home. Compared with a few years ago there is a lot less to be paying for although the costs of previous years have caught up with us and we are paying loans and credit cards. The purpose of…
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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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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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One Day More...
...another day to becoming debt free I want this diary to be my accountability mirror and to
inspire others who find themselves in the darkness and grip of debt, wandering
the abyss as they drowning in struggles to find hope and solace in the
knowledge that they're not alone and that there is a way to get their life…
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Breaking through the £37k of debt
Hi everyone, I read a number of diaries here and I figured it's time I should start a diary of my own as a means to help track my progress on getting rid of the debt and possibly help me vent and unload some of the personal and family life struggles and challenges. Our position isn't bad but I'd like to clear the debts to…
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Falling at the final hurdle
So, I am a little bit late to this …. I am quite away through my debt journey. Probably about 20 years - that have nearly broken me - but have been better the last 4 years or so. Partly due to not being a single mum, my children having their own income, my salary having increased a bit and going into and coming out the…
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My long overdue journey to becoming debt free!!
Hello, I've been lurking on here for a good few years now, and I have decided its time to finally, and for once and for all, to sort my sorry financial mess out! I wont bore you with all the gory details of how I got here, it would just be a list of excuses and justifications, when the hard reality is I spend more than I…
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Fun vs focus
Hello. I've been wanting to start this debt diary since the beginning of the year, but I didn't want to get caught up in the ‘new year, new me’ frenzy. However, now feels like the right time to share my journey and keep myself motivated. I've already made some progress this year by paying off **£7,341.79**. Current…
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From rock bottom to debt free. My journey
I'm at the very beginning of my debt free journey. I've recently lost my job and a relationship has ended so I've gone from an almost £60k a year income household to Universal credit and staying on my mums sofa as a 44 year old. This really does feel like rock bottom but I'm determined to get out of this for my own mental…
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F&F settlement letter offer or CCA . Not sure where to start. Thanks
Hi everyone, Thanks for reading my post. I have been reading through the forums and not 100% sure where to start. I am looking for some advice as I don't know whether I should try and negotiate F& F settlements or first to ask for my CCA, all taken out around 2011-2014. I have been paying £5 a month to each creditor for…
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A Better Life.
I want a better life. I know with the crisis in the cost of living, the war in Ukraine, my mum's illness, the state of the government and the fact that it is winter it is probably the wrong time to start trying! but I am so tired of my life, I feel put upon and trapped but if we are being totally honest I do this to…
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Back to Square One
I thought I was making progress, but since I live in Jersey, the situation is so much worse because for example HSBC will only agree to a £500 monthly through DMP--this info I got from a different thread.
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Debt and Caring
An unprovoked attack on my ankle by a metal workout bench has me lying down with a foot up this evening. Which makes this the ideal time to start this diary. And possibly to declutter some exercise equipment... Yesterday I was £9993.61 in debt. Today I have made a £1500 payment to one of my credit cards taking me down to…
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Debt free in less than 2 years - Which card to pay down first?
Hi all, I've decided to start this debt-free diary as a way to keep myself accountable and on track with paying down my debts. I have a debt free date goal of December 2026. I'm just not sure where to start and what card to pay off first? Here are a list of my debts with the interest rate and balance. I do have 2…
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Struggling along as best I can
Hi everyone, I have just been catching up on my banking and budgets and I am really fed up of getting to the same point of having very little for the last 6-10 days before I get my pension. Don't get me wrong my bills are all paid and I have no debt and I only need to buy just a couple of bits of food (coffee!) But I'm…
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Debt management plan paid off in under 4 years
On the 1st of July we make our last payment on our debt management plan with Step Change! It has taken under 4 years to pay over £9000 in debt - this because of lock down and loss of income during that period. It has been tough, we started paying £88 a month, and we have been paying £400 over the last 6 months. Things can…
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Frugal, thrifty, make do, mend! Let this debt come to an end!
Hello all, So by my reckoning, that magic spell in the title should take about 4 years and 4 months to take effect at current debt repayment and spending rates. :rotfl:. However, there is no harm in trying to help things along a little, is there? I am recently divorced and live on my own in a rented house with my 2 cats.…
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Beginning of debt free journey...High income, high debts, expensive pets
Hello I posted a few days ago on the debt free wannabe board about my sorry state of affairs. I have received some good advice already and wake up calls. I thought I'd start a diary to share my journey, keep myself accountable and perhaps help, and seek help from, others in a similar situation to me. I'm in debt to the…
