The Debt Free Roll Of Honour

debtfreeby35?

Well, I've been registered on this forum for quite a while but ave really only used it for research etc. I paid off the last of my debts yesterday and wanted to share that fact - it's been a long 8 years on my DMP and I've paid back about £25K.

The best thing about it all is that I am now 2 weeks into being 35, so I hit the target I set myself all those years ago.

I am over the moon. Life will now suddenly not be all about repaying personal debt and struggling to live how I'd want to.

judi24

Wow well done debtfreeby35 - great news!

EMMAP

Lightbulb moment: January 2013. I returned home from an amazing trip around the world to a cold and grey London. I was jobless, depressed and had to start signing on.

Debts at their highest: Not as large as some but £2850 was gigantic to me.

Debt free date: today!! 06/12/14

Pearls of wisdom: Never think if you ignore it it will go away. It won't. Be brave. Open that bill. Even though it might make you feel sick to look at it. You can't beat a problem if you don't know the size of it. Start to claw back, to budget. Pay off a little more each time. You can still have the things you want, just less regularly. But first you need to face the problem head on.

NO MORE 'INSUFFICIENT FUNDS' AND SCARY RED LETTERS. NO MORE PITYING LOOKS AS THE CASHIER HANDS YOU BACK YOUR CARD.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

EMMAP

And I'd just like to add that I couldn't have done half as much without the help of my friends over on the Elite board who I love dearly. They taught me that you can still have the finer things in life and occasionally the odd thing for free (!) if you learn how to shop smart.

Andy_WSM

Debt Free! Whoop!

Having just paid my mortgage off, I get to claim the title of debt free too! What a feeling!

Details of mortgage clearing here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/67175813#Comment_67175813

For a long while I had savings earning me minimal interest, then last year I had that "light bulb moment" and realised it was crazy to have substantial rainy day funds and to still be being interest on a mortgage. The thing is the mortgage was part of my lifestyle, it had always existed! After a bit of money juggling and getting the funds together in the right places I made my final lump sum payment against the mortgage today.

The car finance was paid off 18 months ahead of schedule, so the car is mine, paid for in full with loads of life left in it and I have no credit card debts.

As of now I have savings and no debt, at all. What a wonderful feeling.

As said elsewhere, it's down to the support of the members of this forum giving me the motivation to climb out of the debt pit. Thank you everyone! :beer::T:beer:

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Andy_WSM wrote: »

Debt Free! Whoop!

Having just paid my mortgage off, I get to claim the title of debt free too! What a feeling!

Details of mortgage clearing here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/67175813#Comment_67175813

For a long while I had savings earning me minimal interest, then last year I had that "light bulb moment" and realised it was crazy to have substantial rainy day funds and to still be being interest on a mortgage. The thing is the mortgage was part of my lifestyle, it had always existed! After a bit of money juggling and getting the funds together in the right places I made my final lump sum payment against the mortgage today.

The car finance was paid off 18 months ahead of schedule, so the car is mine, paid for in full with loads of life left in it and I have no credit card debts.

As of now I have savings and no debt, at all. What a wonderful feeling.

As said elsewhere, it's down to the support of the members of this forum giving me the motivation to climb out of the debt pit. Thank you everyone! :beer::T:beer:

Wow - very well done. Impressive

HHx

Andy_WSM

Thank you MSE for my shiny new badge!

*proud* :beer::j:beer:

suite001

Hi,
Your story brings so much hope to me! I am at my wit's end - I am a single parent, I work part-time and I have to find £500 every month to pay my bills. I think I will take your advice and call CCCS but I am so embarrassed and ashamed. None of my family know and I am too scared to tell them but I need to take that first step.[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

ladymay

a. The date of your lightbulb moment - February 2012
b. Debts at their highest around £17k (I don't have the exact amount anymore)
c. Debt-Free Date - TODAY!! 9/12/14
d. Your one perl of wisdom. Budget and write down every penny you spend, and keep track of your bank accounts on a daily basis, even if you know you're not going to like what you see!
e. Links to the!MSE guides!that helped you - I didn't really use these
f. Which forum threads helped you - The Debt Free Diaries section was my biggest inspiration

gothrockchic1

ladymay wrote: »

a. The date of your lightbulb moment - February 2012
b. Debts at their highest around £17k (I don't have the exact amount anymore)
c. Debt-Free Date - TODAY!! 9/12/14
d. Your one perl of wisdom. Budget and write down every penny you spend, and keep track of your bank accounts on a daily basis, even if you know you're not going to like what you see!
e. Links to the!MSE guides!that helped you - I didn't really use these
f. Which forum threads helped you - The Debt Free Diaries section was my biggest inspiration

Well Done :beer::T:j