We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. 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 dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.
The Debt Free Roll Of Honour
Comments
-
ms_london said:beanielou said:Be proud @spendaholic.I’ve only just logged in for the first time in years, it’s like taking a trip down memory lane!
Good to see youI am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.4 -
beanielou said:ms_london said:beanielou said:Be proud @spendaholic.I’ve only just logged in for the first time in years, it’s like taking a trip down memory lane!
Good to see you
Lots of love
Oops A Daisy:cool: Official DFW Nerd Club Member #37 Debt free Feb 07 :cool:6 -
Yup, I'm recognising the names too! Where have we all been?!
We'll all get done for going off topic at this rate!spendy/she/her ***DEBT-FREE DATE: 11 NOVEMBER 2022!*** Highest debt: £35k (2006) MY WINS: £3,541 CASH; £149 Specsavers voucher; free eye test; goody bag from Scottish Book Trust; tickets to Grand Designs Live; 2-year access to Feel Amazing App (worth £100); Home Improvement & Renovation Show tickets; £50 to spend on chocolate; Harlem Globetrotters tickets; Jesus Christ Superstar tickets + 2 t-shirts; Guardians of the Galaxy goody bag; Birmingham City v Barnsley FC tickets; Marillion tickets; Dancing on Ice tickets; Barnsley FC v Millwall tickets4 -
a. The date of your lightbulb moment: January 2022
b. Debts at their highest: £7393
c. Debt-Free Date: Today! 25th November 2022
d. Your one pearl of wisdom: There are so many things that have helped me along the way and I am so grateful for the wisdom of so many people on this forum! My main piece of advice is actually sitting down and figuring out where all your money is going. I remember the sickening feeling of dread when I finally calculated how much money I was wasting per month on take away, eating out and clothes. It is a great motivator to change your behaviour and recognise your triggers for spending beyond your means. Other than that, tracking everything has helped me massively (bills going out, amount of debt paid, savings) and setting up star charts so I could really see that I was making progress. My tactic has definitely been to increase my income where I can to pay off my debt, with bank switching, selling items and surveys really helping a lot. I also took in a lodger to help with funds and took on any extra shifts that I could. Budgeting obviously plays a big part as well. I found waiting at least 24- 48 hours (if not a week..) after the urge to buy something kicked in before clicking the purchase button really meant I more often than not realised I didn't need or want that thing after all.
e. Links to the MSE guides that helped you: So many.. I remember seeing the article with the debt spiral diagram on and thinking "this is me!"
f. Which forum threads helped you: Reading other people's diaries has been my main motivator and source of great tips to help with my own journey, so thank you everyone! I couldn't have done this without you
g. And if you had a debt diary on the Debt-Free Wannabe board (DFW), a link to it: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6336882/taking-charge-of-debt
Debt free November 202211 -
Lightbulb moment September 2020
Debts at their highest £21,170
Debt-Free Date 25th of November 2022
That's me done, on to savings3-month emergency fund (Cash ISA & PBs): £4744/ £6,000
Stocks and shares ISA: £1497
Additional pension contributions £0
Overpayment on mortgage: £0
Big Renno..£014 -
DrCarrie said:Lightbulb moment September 2020
Debts at their highest £21,170
Debt-Free Date 25th of November 2022
That's me done, on to savingsI’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free Wannabe, Budgeting and Banking and Savings and Investment boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.4 -
Lightbulb moment 15th of December 2020
Debts at their highest £9277.32
Debt Free Date 1st of December 2022
Pearl of wisdom - Don't waste time feeling guilty. Spend your time figuring out how to manage with what you have available and working out what you need to do so that you can stay out of debt as much as possible. Having an emergency fund was crucial to me as it stopped me worrying about not being able to afford house repairs.17 -
The post I have wanted to do for a very long time 😍
The date of your lightbulb moment
Many false starts, but the real lightbulb went off in May 2019
Debts at their highest
Over £50k, at lightbulb moment in 2019 it was around £44k
Debt-Free Date
26th November 2022
Your one pearl of wisdom
You should never be ashamed of asking for help. I definitely made things worse for myself by ignoring my problems and trying to hide it from those closest to me. I felt so embarrassed and ashamed of my situation that I allowed it to consume me, it wasn’t fun at all. Once I finally got help from Stepchange, I felt more in control and started to talk about the situation to my close friends and family. It was genuinely life changing.
Which forum threads helped you
Many, especially when looking for information and advice, but I can’t recommend enough setting up your own debt free diary. It was a judgement-free space to empty my thoughts, track my journey and speak to like minded people. The kindness of strangers is amazing. It meant a lot to me. ❤️
And if you had a debt diary on the Debt-Free Wannabe board (DFW), a link to it https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6090608/a-return-to-mse-with-a-dmp-so-i-can-be-debt-free
Total: £50,676 £0 🥳 The journey to debt freedom10 -
The date of your lightbulb moment
August 2021
Debts at their highest
Started at £5824 - started to pay off then had to replace car and added £9000!
Total - £14,824
Debt-Free Date
January 17th 2023
Your one pearl of wisdom?
There will be set backs (like my car needing replacing) you are just going to have to roll with them and readjust the plan of action. Life isn't linear and neither will the journey to being debt free
Which forum threads helped you?
Other debt diaries made me revaluate what I was 'wasting' money on. And what was really essential. This is not to say that I have not spent on non essentials or fun things but they were better planned and considered. I have also found cash stuffing has been an amazing help and has enabled me to start saving.
And if you had a debt diary on the Debt-Free Wannabe board (DFW), a link to it , you can find this in my signature : )
Very (Shopping) £796.16 Paid in FULL as of 17/08/2021
Simply Be £1463 £1432 £1195.13 £801.02 £645.24 Paid in FULL 30/09/2021Likely Loans £2465.73 £2191.76 £1917.79 Paid in FULL May 2022
Overdraft £500 Paid in FULL Jan 2023
PayPal Credit £566.53 Paid in FULL Jan 2023
Total debt £5824.89 at the very start of DFW Journey.
Current debt £5,028.73 £4997.73 £4384.31 £3990.20 £3823.06 £2260.37 £1066.53 £0.00
Debt added since start of journey £9000 (borrowed from partner for car)
Current balance of £8550 £8150 Paid in Full June 2022
My debt free diary:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6291011/debit-free-diary-starting-august-2021-target-may-2022#latest10
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.4K Spending & Discounts
- 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.7K Life & Family
- 254.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards