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Debt-free wannabe

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

Daughters Debt
My daughter has managed to rake up £20k of credit cards plus debt. She also has a loan. Still waiting to find out for how much. two years ago I went on her mortgage as a guarantor as she had split from her husband. This was before she got into money issues. she was claiming benefits as a single mum with two children. She…
Tesco asks for Income and Expenditure of further action - Stressed!
I tried to pay my Tesco account yesterday and it wouldn't accept my credit card details so I tried again and was put through to a member of staff. He explained the account went through to him as I need to complete income and expenditure form. I said I only came on to make payment and I am now put through to you. He said it…
First defaults - what now... (advice please)
Hi to all, I stopped paying my creditors in August 2024. I received lots of letters which I duly filed. Emails I ignored, and as per forum advice, used a 2nd SIM card with which to ignore and block phone calls. I note that yesterday, PayPal credit have defaulted me – it shows on Credit Karma (Transunion). I also received a…
Day one of my debt free journey
Hi everyone, I hope I'm posting this in the right place, I'm a forum newbie! Today marks day one of my journey to getting my finances back on track. After a couple of years where expenses and spending just seem to keep rising I've decided this is the year I will break the back of my debt. Since having my second child a…
Decree/debt help
Hi, looking for advice. I have not paid my debts in 5 months due to health reasons being out of work. I have defaulted on every credit line. I have had issues with gambling and don’t know if i will be accepted for a DMP(DAS) in Scotland. Can anyone help and how long before I get court action taken against me?
Lowell chasing me after 9 years!
Dear All, For the last 9 years I have been living and working abroad teaching and now I have returned and have settled back in the UK after my adventure. About a month ago I received a letter and an email from Lowell debt collection, stating that I owed them 800GBP for a credit card debt that was that with Vanquis Bank…
E.ON applied for a consent order to set aside a CCJ, then basically retracted it
I haven't been on the forums for year but I need some assistance to know who to ask for help. In June 2022 I received a CCJ from E.ON for £455 which I discovered in June 2023. I contacted E.ON who basically didn't help until I raised an issue with the ombudsman in 2024. E.ON agreed to apply via consent order for a set…
Moving mortgage to credit card debt
Hi, I appreciate the heading on the face of it sounds like a bad idea…..however…I’ve been thinking long and hard about this. My background, I’ve been clearing debt to the tune of in excess 80k over the last 6 years and doing a decent job of it. The debt is a long story but suffice to say, lightbulb moment and never looked…
Received a letter from creditor
Hi I am in the early stages of starting my own DMP, stopped all payments last month. I have received a letter from my M and S credit card this morning basically saying my account is in arrears and to pay asap and they will add a £12 late charge, no mention of default. Will a letter saying I have defaulted be obvious, what…
Finnish Friend - Debt
I am trying to help my Finnish friend out of their debt as they have gotten into a sticky situation. They were automatically declared bankrupt at €8500 around 6 years ago, because they couldn't pay the interest anymore, and all that happened was the debt locked at 11percent interest. Now it is at around 17.5k. Any advice…
Solutions to £11k Debt Problem
Hi everybody, I'm trying to help a family member with their debt issues atm. They are currently sat on an £11k debt consisting of: * £4k car loan at 6.9% * £2.3k Credit card debt 1 at 31% * £3.7k Credit card debt 2 at 26.9% * £1k Credit card debt 3 at 29% As you can see, the interest rates being charged are pretty crazy…
Claim form received - CCJ incoming Kearne Solicitors
hi wondering if anyone can help i have received a claim form from Civil National Business Centre, it all seems legit. the particulars are saying its from a CCA from 2012 and defaulted in 2014 the agreement was passed to a DC agency intrum UK, its for £3141 and now has court fee costs and representative costs of £285 on…
Advice with defaults
Hi, back in 2019 I was off work with an injury and defaulted on 3 credit cards. These will be off my history October 25 and January 26 and February 26. October 25- balance £3800 , pay £45 per month January 26-balance £7200, pay £76 per month. February 26- balance £8100, pay £82 per month. what happens when these fall off…
Email from CRS debt collection agency
All, About 6 weeks ago I started receiving emails from a company called CRS ( a debt collection agency) about an amount they were trying to recover from a company called Intrum UK Limited (another debt collection agency I understand). The number of emails I get is increasing. I have not responded to any of them or clinked…
Debt advice please
Embarrassed of my situation and expecting hate but I’m not done this on purpose and have good intentions to be better but life has happened… former bankruptcy in 2018 came off this year. However in the last 6 years I’ve fallen back into the trap of having credit and embarrassed to say my debt total again is around £14,000…
Mental health break - giving advise to a friend
Im currently helping a friend sort out their debts and need a but of an update/refresh. I have advised him to speak to a debt charity but he wont. He is struggling with his mental health and is due to enter grief councilsing in the new year. He is also concidering medication to help (it was suggested at a recent MH review…
Help
I am in about £16000 worth of debt (loans and overdrafts) I make a decent wage but I’m struggling to pay more than the minimum payments on everything. I have poor credit rating so don’t know what to do. I would like to be making just 1 payment a month but don’t think I’d get accepted for anything. My mortgage is also up…
£1 CCA Request
Hi there, I’ve recently sent a total of 6 CCA request letters each containing £1 postal orders. Lowell x 3, Cabot x 2 and Wescot x 1 I’ve just received the following email from Lowell’s regarding 1 account : - Just to confirm that on 27/12/2024 we received your payment of £1.00 on your Lloyds Banking Group PLC account with…
IVA advice
Hi there I hope I’m posting in the right place. I’d like to make 2025 the year where I really start to get on top of my debts. I’m considering an IVA. I currently work part time (22.5 hours a week). This is my main source of income. I also own a franchise. Would an IVA be suitable for me given I own a franchise? The bulk…
Text messages from Marstons?
I have had 2 text messages from Marston debt collectors. The last one had my name on it. The text asks me to click a link? Not sure what it is for as I have no debt. Is this a scam?

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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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