At long last, I'm debt free

CurlyTop

Just wanted to share that finally after 11.5 years that I'm finally debt free. At my worst, I owed £48,487. Me on my own, owing that much, I never thought I would see light at the end of the tunnel.

I couldn't have gotten through this without the fabulous support of Stepchange. Their advisors have been my strength through all of this. Especially when RBOS lost 6 months worth of my dmp payments and CCJ'd me. I did get it set aside when I had the proof of their inefficiency but by then I'd obviously rattled a cage or two because they CCJ'd me a further two times but on all occasions, the judge ruled in my favour because I'd never missed a payment in the 6/7 years. They eventually got a Charging Order against my home but having lost my dad at the time, I didn't have the fight in me to do much about it.

Despite starting off well in my repayments, I had to reduce these when my health took a knock and I had to reduce my hours. I had to drop payments a little further when my husband lost his business, was out of work and we didn't qualify for any help. Still I kept my head up, carried on, cut back where I could, absorbed the Old Style Boards like a sponge, took advantage of deals even if it did mean buying xmas pressies in the summer sale, no longer having that nice coffee en route to work (not that I had that many anyway), stopping the odd holiday here and there (not that they were ever that luxurious to begin with), took advantage of the M&S outlet near where I live (after all, who knew that my jumpers were £2.99 in the clearance corner), asked friends for vouchers when it came to birthdays (stopped doing christmas pressies for friends a long time ago). Generally battoned down the hatches and knuckled down for the long haul.

I wouldn't take any help from my boyfriend at the time (who became my husband in the midst of all this - we went away and got married just the two of us). All this debt was mine and mine alone.

Can't believe I've finally done it. I'm so pleased with myself. Have had a little cry on receiving the video from Stepchange put together by its staff celebrating my achievement.

I've learnt lots of lessons along the way, and many more that I intend to keep with me. No more credit cards or loans for me. If I haven't saved for it, I can't have it. I don't intend moving and have a mortgage in place, so don't need credit.

Thank you to you all, for those who post to give tips, for those who post giving inspiration to others that we're not in it on our own, for those who post so that we know it can be done, for good old Martin Lewis and the MSE Team for hosting such a great site that continues to be inspirational and motivational to us all.

Thank you. I survived and I got there.:beer:

Cuchuliann

Congratulations, you deserve every future happiness.. what a fantastic result. Well done and the very best of luck on your onward journey. Inspiring. x

sunnysurrey_2

What an inspiring story, well done, you should be proud of yourself x

Sedge123

Congratulations. You deserve to be very proud of yourself. Xx

fannyadams

Brilliant!

Determined_diva

Aw I am so happy reading this wonderful news! Please don't forget to post on the debt free roll of honour.

Good luck in your new life :-)

DDx

asparagus1968

fantastic, well done, have a wonderful debt free life:T

clairey_em

Wow, what a fantastic achievement, massive, massive congratulations xx

AdmiralAsda

I'm so proud of you! You managed to keep your cool when things went bad and you're a great example of success!

Here's to staying debt-free!

mrsscattercushion

fantastic news and an inspiration to everyone not to give up as any situation is possible to manage!!

CurlyTop

How kind you've all been and how humbling your comments on. Have never thought of myself as inspirational before, more one of life's plodders but what a lovely accolade.

Couldn't have done it without the support of everyone here. Here's to my careful debt free life. Have allowed myself one treat, £20 to put towards a nice leather handbag which my birthday vouchers and money paid for! Being leather its gonna last me whether it wants to or not!!!!

Thank you all again. For those who are on their journey, keep your spirits up, you will get there. Just take it one day at a time.

xx