We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More » This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. Thank you for your patience.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Debt free diaries

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

£80k debt - 30 month debt free aim - all support is welcome
Hi All, Okay so here goes. I have been hanging around in the side lines for the past few months. I have read many diaries and have seen the improvements people have made to their lives and the great debt reductions they have achieved - well done. I currently have £80k of debt through years and years of credit card misuse,…
Slept through the Wake-Up Call and no money in the meter for a Lightbulb Moment.
I've been here before. It helped a lot. It didn't fix things but it put the brakes on them getting worse. I'm needing to put the brakes on again cos I am in severe danger of careering over the edge of one of the three cliff faces I seem to be gazing into the abyss from. Health / Debt / Career are the three areas where I…
I’VA Problem
Hi everyone! Today marks the beginning of my journey towards financial freedom. I have just shy of 17k in debt. Spread across one loan, and five credit cards. I’ve found myself in this mess through no ones fault but my own. After what can only be seen as a series of poor financial decisions, I have finally had enough.…
Direct Debits
I've recently taken out some holiday insurance (annual) I've checked my bank today and the company have taken the money, which of course is fine. However, I happened to check my direct debits (I only have two) but I've come across three set up in the last few days-all insurance related-one eon, one pet Insurance (I don't…
My debt-free diary
I’ve decided to start a diary to keep myself on track of my debt repayment plan :mad: I hope you guys can support myself along the way :j I’ve posted a previous thread in wannabe under ‘I want to clear every last penny’ Summary Argos Card - £300 Halifax OD - £315 Barclaycard - £500 Lloyds Loan - £2700 Santander CC - £3000…
It's final, the debt must go.......
Hi All, After many years of just treading water with our debt I have decided that it has to go as we are fast approaching our retirement and it needs to be way gone before then. In addition, we need to learn to live frugally and within our means so this diary is a combination of our journey to becoming debt free and…
On a mission to clear debt
Hi all, Posting my SOA for comments please, we are looking to move house in 2/2.5 years but have to clear credit cards and car loan first, anything glaringly obvious to anyone that could help me? Household Information Number of adults in household........... 2 Number of children in household......... 2 Number of cars…
Frugal until 60!
Well here I am again after some tumultuous years in which I tried to start a diary twice and gave up quickly. I think the problem was that I wasn't writing for myself but now I'm just going to plonk down my ramblings and see what occurs! My DS has emigrated to Australia (it's been 2 years) and my DD is in her first year of…
Sometimes life changes.....
So I'm just embarking on my journey to be debt free so I thought I'd write a diary to keep myself accountable. So onto the boring bit about how I got where I am... So 2015 everything was going great - husband, a lovely 3 year old and a new dream job that paid a decent wage! I had a credit card but nothing unmanageable - I…
Where has the last 3 years gone?
Hi Well as you can see I seem to have made some progress over the last 3 years, but either I was not being honest or we have gone backwards over the last 12 months. We have a family loan of £7,300 that is interest free and we are currently paying zero. We have 3 credit cards: CC1 £450 0% ends in 4 months CC2 £1,600 0% ends…
Money Saving Mojo 2
Since buying my flat in 2014 I have tried and failed to rebuild some savings and repay a family member's loan. I first had issues with my mental health in 2013, and since then have had a few episodes, which have greatly impacted on my finances. It's a stark difference from my early 20's of saving money and being career…
New Year - New Me
I expect everyone is thinking the same - New Year - New Me but this year I have to get my act together. Have managed to get my debts under some sort of control with all creditors accepting reduced payments. Repayment of this is currently ticking over nicely. The aim for 2019 is therefore to build up some savings. I…
My diary
Hi all I started off with £3,500 of debt around 7 months ago. Im now at just under £2,000. Its still a long way to go but all the accounts i am paying have been fraudulent accounts set up by my ex partner (regrettably i have to refer to her as my wife). I am going to get through this and keep you all up to date. Wishing…
CCJ Threat - Help!!
In 2007, I was issued with a default for a mobile phone bill I didn’t pay. The total amount was £360 It was referred to debt collection, but stupidly I ignored this and didn’t pay it off. In 2013, I was contacted by a debt recovery chasing me for the outstanding amount. At the time I was out of work due to health reasons,…
20/20 Vision (repaying a debt to my home and myself)
I am debt free but I have neglected myself and my home for years. My home and I have held up well after years of neglect, but we are both shabby and need of care and attention. I need to move on. This house needs a little family to love it. So I am giving myself 20 months for us both to be camera ready, so we can rise from…
Reality Check...
I need to start writing this diary while I have the motivation to do so! I have been a lurker for a while and reading all the diaries inspire me and I always think "I wish I could sort out my debt" well....today is the day! I have buried my head in the sand for too long and it really is time to get a reality check! I have…
New Journey
I have been hanging around the diaries for around a month , decided to subscribe a get rid of the debt once and for all. I had a dmp which ended 3 years ago but owing to a drop in salary have managed to get myself in around 5 k debt again. Once I have Jan statements for credit card will be able to tell true figures. I have…
Real advice needed ASAP
Hi all My wife (ex wife after divorce) has basically left me i a ton of debt in my name with credit cards and catalogs that she took out a few years back and I can’t prove it was her. There is £2,000 left and I want to move out of my parents house where I had to go when she left me. My parents allow me to have the children…
Thanks MSE forum. Ten years since LBM
Hello Just wanted to say a massive THANKS to all the wonderful courageous people on the MSE forum, for all the help, support and advice you have given me. Ten years ago my OH and I were facing debts over £100,000 (business and personal). We were in a really black dark place, both suffering from severe depression, but we…
A diary about debt, dilemmas and a dog
Hello anyone who might be reading I'm writing this to help with my decision making in relation to a dilemma. Here is my slightly unusual situation... I'm a 44 year old single mum, I've been in debt since the first opportunity to 'spend extra money' presented itself to me when I was 18. At the worst point my debt stood at…

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

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.

View All

Debt free diaries

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free

Debt free diaries

Discussion List

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free