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Debt-free wannabe

Mutual support and help for those on their journey to becoming debt-free.

Charging Order? The myth
I feel that this is so important that I thought a new thread should be made to highlight the importance of understanding the law on Charging Orders and how many people are stuck with their property in the false believe that they have had a Charging Order put on their property. In particular the thousands of Northern Rock…
Struggling with debt? Ask a stepchange debt adviser a question
If you need help with your debts, this is the thread for you. This is a new thread, as the old one was getting a tad long. Trained advisers from StepChange Debt Charity are here and waiting to answer your debt questions. They're a friendly bunch so please don't be shy! There are three ways to get in touch: 1 - Simply post…
DMP mutual support thread part 13 !!
Welcome to the DMP mutual support thread Part 13 !! Here you can find help in starting and running your DMP, self managed, Stepchange, Payplan and any other DMP all welcome here, but we do encourage you to use a free service, not one you pay for. There is help on getting interest and charges stopped, how to start with an…
The Debt Free Roll Of Honour
Update December 2018. We started this Debt Free Roll of Honour back in 2006 and since then there have been some fabulously inspiring stories, which you'll see if you read below. To read the most recent debt-free announcements click the double arrow above to head to the last page of the discussion Back to Martin's original…
In Debt and Wannabe Debt Free? first Steps to take are here, please read, then ask questions.
This thread provides guidance about some good first steps you should take if you are in debt and want to get debt-free. It doesn’t matter how big or small your debt is, or whether you are comfortably paying your debts and looking for advice on where to cut back further or struggling to cover your basic needs - we are here…
Reclaiming money back from various payday loan companies
Hi all just wanted to share some good news regarding payday loan companies..... From early 2011 until mid 2014 I too was caught in the payday loan trap, all my own fault may I add, I borrow the money and in the end paid every penny back, would estimate 15000 over the years maybe 20. Early this year I saw all the news…
Pls remember Debt-Free Wannabe's for support and help not judgement
Martin (Lewis) made the following announcement a few years back. But the link in the stickies is broken. Anyhow, here is what Martin said: "Dear Money savers..... Debt Free Wannabe is one of my favorite boards on this site. It's also one which runs a delicate balance. Many people who have serious debts have hidden them for…
Debt-Free Wannabe Sticky - Provit & Statute Barred Letters, Defaults, Help and Guidance, All Here...
Debt-Free Wannabe Sticky - Please read for links to important topics and help Hi folks :) This is the Debt-Free Wannabe Sticky where links to all current important tools and information will be posted. Links: (1) Those who are new to debt, and want to know where to start, check out these first steps :…
Statute barred debts and the Limitation Act
Statute barred debts and the Limitation Act Statute Barred debts. A debt will be "Statute Barred" if there has been no acknowledgement of the debt by you making a payment or in writing within the relevant limitation period. The debt would then be legally UNENFORCEABLE, unless the creditor has already taken legal action…
SOA help
Soo.. after my last post I made the first step and attendees CAB this morning. They have gave a pack and asked me to do an expenditure and collect all evidence which I’m in with now… I was wondering if anyone had thier SOA for me to look at. I obviously haven’t had to do this or budget properly for a long time due to…
Advice on defaulting
My husband and I have realised that we can't carry on the way we are and need to tackle our debt. It is about 45k between us (husband has 2 personal loans, about £10k each, I have CC £12k, then various other smaller debts). It's got to the point where we are having to use CC for food etc as our disposable income has to…
Should I default before a DMP will this affect my work?
Hello, I wonder if you can help me I was going to start a DMP before I came across these forums tell people to stop paying and default first. Just some questions as this scares me cause I’ve never missed a payment but most my wage is going on debt so need to do something. First if I have 3 loans what if one defaults first…
Charging orders 2008
Hi, i have 2 charging orders on my property from 2008. 2 different Courts (Newcastle and Bradford) I want to remortgage but now they are still sitting on Land Registry,i have literally for 4 months been trying to clear them by paying them. Getting no where fast. 3 solicitors i have tried to get are "too busy" so i decided…
Link - unenforceable debts and now a letter threatening legal action with Kearns solicitors
Have 3 accounts with link . Sent off for CCAs and received letters saying unable to comply and unenforceable. Continued to have letters so I sent letter saying ’ I have recently received reminders for payments for the above accounts. As per your letters from 4th feb,2025 and 9th dec 2024 you have confirmed you are not…
Letter Of Claim from Kearns Solicitors
Hi, After some advice on my next move. I've received a 'Letter of Claim' today from Kearns Solicitors for a loan I originally had from Lloyd's in 2012 but was then assigned to Link financial in 2018. They have provided a reply form which has 4 sections. The first section being 'Do I owe the debt'. I know had the loan and…
What to do…
I’m in approx 70k of debt. I have been looking at a dmp and have mentioned this to my partner, however she is not keen. She thinks it may affect my position in regard to an opportunity with the company I work with. The risk as far as I can see it is if I get credit checked however that won’t be pretty without a dmp if…
D(MP) Day! 1st July 2025
Hi everyone, First of all, a massive thank you to: * Everyone who has shared their experiences with debt – it’s incredibly reassuring to know I’m not alone. * Everyone who offers advice and support – this forum has been a godsend. I’m currently dealing with around 46k of unsecured debt: * MBNA Credit Card – £17,000 *…
£31k debt through bad decisions, help with DMP
So, over the last few years, I've managed to get myself into a mess, financially. It's jeopardised my marriage, massively impacted mine and my wife's mental health and limited my family's sort to mid term opportunities. I've been treading water for a while, paying minimum payments only, using credit cards to pay down other…
In debt (£50k) and need some serious help - delicate position
Hi all, I’m in quite a bad position and I’m after some guidance if possible please to make sure i make the correct decisions here. I’m not really looking to excuse my position but some useful context is that I have AuDHD, CPTSD and spending has been one of the things I have really struggled to control. I have had therapy…
AP or default?
Just wanted some opinions on whether I do AP on a small Next Directory account (£210). It’s heading along the default route but I’ve not even had the notice yet. I’ve got 4 x NatWest accounts (with the Ombusdman as just the £13k final loan considered unaffordable by investigator), a Lloyds CC, (which was after the £13k…
CRS - 2nd letter for unknown account
Hi all, Just popping back on as I've had a second letter through from this company. They sent one a few months ago alleging that I owe EE just shy of £100. It's a pretty vague letter with a client reference, a "start date" and "end date", alleged debt and some spiel about understanding people's situations are unique etc.…
debt help
HI all, im trying to get my finances in order as im currently in a lot of debt, £32k ish currently I can just about to pay the minimums and loan payments every month. and if I do overtime or hit bonus at work I can live a little bit etc ive done a SOA which ill add below. I know I can save a bit if I change my car and im…
Debts and Student Finance Debt...
I have severe mental health since 1999. I owe M&S Credit Card £1k ish, PayPal Credit £2k ish, Klarna £94 and Sister £9k ish. Also, Student Finance Debt around £4k ish. Can my M&S, PayPal, Klarna and Student Finance get written off? My sister had cleared my prevous Finances and Credit Cards, so thats why i owe her.…
DMP, maxing credit and full and final offer
I have been reading through all the DMP posts and I see someone asked should they max all their credit before starting their DMP so they have a large emergency fund and can make full and final offers? Is this a route anyone takes? How early in could you make full and final offers? If you have a little lump sum available…
Merged: What do I do? Bankruptcy dro or worse
This discussion has been merged.
Settled Debt or Sold Debt?
Hi, I started a DMP earlier this year, and I've just noticed that one of the Loans I had has gone from my Credit report. If I check Closed accounts, it's showing there as settled. Does this mean it's been sold on? Because I have had no contact from either the Bank that the Loan was with, or whoever has bought it, and there…
Full and Final offer
Hello, I'm looking advice again. Most of my debts have fallen off my credit file, they have been sold on several times and I'm paying low monthly amounts. I would like to clear them over the next 2-3 years and have begun offering !!!!!!. My first reply is from Westcot. This debt is due to fall off my file in August, £1500…
+6 Year Debt (actual 13 years) - started receiving demands from NEW COMPANY?
I had alot of debt, from various banks and credit cards around 2002, and I lost a job around 2006 and stopped paying the debts, 6 years quickly passed and I moved address After around 2012 I never got any debt letters But this last few weeks I got one from from a company called VERIFY, which is for just under 2000£ - its…
Statute barred enquiry letter
Hi. I received a hand-delivered letter from a debt collector chasing an old debt which may or may not be over the 6-year statute-barring threshold. I think it should be over six years but cannot be certain, and have not communicated with them. However, if I were to send them a Without Prejudice letter asking for proof of…

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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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