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Debt free diaries

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

Are we nearly there yet?
I've been on these forums for nine years (according to all the messages I got from MSE Badger when I signed back in after a few years break), so it's been nine years that I've struggled with money. DH and I entered our 'living together life' with £2k worth of debt, and I remember thinking we'd never get out of it. It…
Over the Rainbow and Quest for a Unicorn
Time for a shiny new diary! It's been so long since my last post in my old diary that it appears to have been closed! Link to old diary here! https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4590301/over-the-rainbow-and-happy-ever-after I haven't posted in 4.5 years! It is so inspiring to come back on MSE and see that…
Accountable
September! It always feels like the start of a new year to me, I'm not sure why, perhaps its the new school year that's embedded in me (even though that was a long time ago!), Or perhaps it's because my daughter starts secondary school tomorrow! Eeeeek! I've decided to keep my own debt free diary, to hold myself…
Overhauling for the second (and last) time
I initially started a thread a few months ago after realising I was struggling with my debt I don’t, in the grand scheme of things, have a lot of debt but have a lowish income and little disposable money to throw at it currently so it’s slow progress I have 10 debts, totalling just over 5k and made the decision earlier in…
The thriftyish way to debt freedom
Hello We are a family of six (myself, husband, 10yo,9yo,7yo,5yo) living on DH's income at the moment. We went through a tough financial patch around 10 years ago and managed to clear all our debt, and then started paying down our mortgage - we had a mission to be mortgage-free before we were 40. Then we somehow got a…
At an all time low..
Hello all, been around the boards for a while, had a few diaries but never really kept up with them, but this time it all has to change. Life is absolute awful and has been for most of the last 10 years and just need a break so really going to try hard and make it count. Apologies now for the long post but need to get this…
RemorsefulRoo's Debt Free Journey- 12 Month Accountability Diary and hopefully beyond
So here goes... :# I have been a silent watcher and lurker for a long time and I guess I have always had an issue with debt. Its something that I haven't ever really understood- not the literal debt part- but the why I do it part. I always have the best of intentions 'ill get this loan to pay that...' 'you only live…
2025 - Reset, Refocus, Remortgage!!!!
I’ve decided now is the time for a new diary. My previous had lost its way a wee bit, but it’s time to draw a line. My mortgage is up for renewal in 24 months, so I’m using the next 2 years to clear as much debt as possible so that the undoubted increase in mortgage payments won’t cause too much stress. This last year I…
The ostrich wakes up and decides it's aspiring to be a wannabe wise Owl!
So after decades with my head in the sand, I've had a wake call in mid October and realised this stress can no longer carry on and it's time to wise up and take responsibility for a more fulfilling and meaningful life. This ultimately means I am now on a mission to live within my means and not beyond my means. I have never…
Living frugally in 2025......
Long time lurker, first time poster! I'll keep my first post brief just in case it all goes awry and doesn't post - I'm such a technophobe, hence me lurking and never posting! A bit about me: I find myself in my 50's, living alone for the first time in my life. Buying a house, doing a mini renovation, paying the bills and…
Diary and plan
A wish to be debt free and on to mortgage free. CC 1 - £1644.55 (£491.82 0% until Mar24). £1152.73 interest accruing (think around 14%) CC 2 - £2385.00 (0% until Nov23) CC 3 - £2239.20 (0% until Mar24) Loan (family) £12,000 Emergency savings - £0 I have £500 left after bills so current plan:- CC 1 - £100 CC 2 - £25 CC 3 -…
Time to grow up and stand up
Hello all, I lost track how many diaries I started (maybe 5, 6, ...) but then I realised little thriftylass is going to be 18 this year (her real life incarnation is a few decades older) and it's time to grow up but also be true to my values, and me more again. I started this diary later in the year as I have found if I…
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…
Got to get started Chipping away at it.
So ive been struggling with my debt for a number of years now . And have struggled with debt in the past as well . I came out of uni in what was comparative to my earnings at the time quite a bit of debt. Managed to sort that in my early twenties and was actually really well disciplined . Then I think I fell of the wagon…
Very Old debts
Been in dmp since 2006 all debts had defaulted by 2007 clear of my credit reports now but still owe 14000 due to end in 4 yrs wish to know what discount I may get to pay all off them most individual debts of the total i range from anything from 100 pounds owing to largest of 1200ish split between 8 debt company’s many been…
2025 - A Debt a Month - A Year to Freedom
Hi everyone I’ve been around these forums for a long time, but have been very sporadic for a while lately. The debt is still there and hasn’t been dealt with - but I honestly feel that 2025 is the year I get debt free. My OH and I have just finished paying a large loan that we’ve been paying for AGES. Before this we had no…
Journey North to Debt-Free and Become a Saver
Hello, So ultimately the goal is to repay my current level of debt using a DMP. I have chosen to do this through a debt charity. I was given bankruptcy as an option but it wasn't recommended. I'm a homeowner with a mortgage so I presume this asset would have been used to clear my debts. Not an outcome I want. I prefer to…
Single income, AuDHD, £29k debt, no savings...turning the ship as of 2025!
I’m trying to decide what to do, between instigating the process towards a self-managed DMP, or ‘just’ continuing to try and pay debts each month until it is clear (likely in around 4-5 years…) I would really value the thoughts of those in this forum – I don’t have any family to discuss this with, and live on my own (with…
Doris's 60 Months Debt Journey
Hello, Decided to move from the "How Much Have You Saved?" board as I am currently back in debt thanks to a new kitchen which is the last major work that needs doing in our house, have been getting house retirement ready. Even though the debt is 0% and I do have the funds to pay in full, I just don't want to, rather have…
Boring Diary
I used to frequent these forums about ten years ago but started to drop off in 2016. I got myself into a situation where I didn’t have a lot of debt, but the monthly payment was high for my income at the time. The diary fell by the wayside and after coming to the realisation that I will never be able to afford to move…

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MSE News

Bank of England cuts base rate to 4.25% – here's what it means for your mortgage and savings
The base rate has been cut to 4.25% from 4.5% by the Bank of England. This rate is used by the central bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money, so the move can impact mortgage and savings rates.
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Interest rates on fixed mortgage deals have continued to be cut ahead of this week's decision by the Bank of England on whether to change the Base Rate. But will fixed rates move much further – and should you fix now or wait?
Fixed-rate mortgages continue to fall ahead of expected Base Rate cut – so do brokers think now is a good time to fix?
Interest rates on fixed mortgage deals have continued to be cut ahead of this week's decision by the Bank of England on whether to change the Base Rate. But will fixed rates move much further?
Martin Lewis: How to call your bank by dialling just three numbers
How to call your bank by dialling just three numbers… simply dial 1-5-9. Then you know it's legit. Watch MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis' video below, which explains it. And please share – the more people know, the fewer will be scammed.
Martin Lewis: How to call your bank by dialling just three numbers – as 'anti-scam' phone number called over a million times
One million calls have been made to the '159' anti-scam phone number since its launch in 2021, new figures reveal today (Wednesday 30 April). MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis – one of the well-known faces most used in scams – explains how to call your bank by dialling just these three numbers.
Martin Lewis: How to call your bank with just three digits – as 'anti-scam' phone number called over a million times
One million calls have been made to the '159' anti-scam phone number since its launch in 2021, new figures reveal today (Wednesday 30 April). MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis – one of the well-known faces most used in scams – explains how to call your bank by dialling just these three numbers.
Revealed: Holland & Barrett's supposedly cheaper 'Subscribe & Save' often costs more – it's promised a review after our investigation
Holland & Barrett's 'Subscribe & Save' scheme claims to offer regular shoppers "the best value" – but it failed to do so in the majority of cases MoneySavingExpert.com checked over a five month period. The retailer has now promised to review the scheme after our research found it was often more expensive.
Don't get your passport by post – 360,000 paid more than needed last year
If your passport is due for renewal, apply online if you can – it'll save you £12.50. More than 7 million Brits did just that last year – but over 360,000 missed out on savings by using a paper form instead, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal.
Sainsbury’s Bank customer? NatWest takes over this week – here's what it means for savers and borrowers
Sainsbury's Bank's savings, credit cards and loans will be taken over by NatWest from Thursday 1 May. For most, this means little will change for now as the Sainsbury's Bank brand will remain, though it's expected to be phased out towards the end of this year. However, if you've over £85,000 saved across both banks, it's worth considering moving any excess elsewhere to ensure your cash remains protected.

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Debt free diaries

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