Debt Free Today and Not Celebrating

hilltop

I was sucked into £53,000 debt by a series of unsolicited bank overdraft increases, consolidation loans and 3 credit cards with limits that they increased way beyond my monthly management. A classic case of live now pay later followed by financial melt down.

StepChange today took my final DMP payment so after 10 years repayments, I should be celebrating but I feel the complete opposite.

Maybe if I were younger then I could celebrate but I am almost aged 70 and feel that I have lost the best years of my retirement due to my debts.

GettingOrganised

Congratulations on clearing your debt hilltop. Please don't feel down, you are now free to enjoy your retirement as you please, so allow yourself to celebrate this amazing achievement and make some plans you can look forward to.

Also, thanks for sharing your story. Hearing about success stories really helps to inspire and motivate the people on here who are still on their debt free journey.

parsniphead

Well done on becoming debt free hilltop.

As frustrating as the past years must have been it's now done and dusted. Let's face it how many of us haven't made decisions in the past which we regret.Time to look forward to the future with fewer worries.

I hope you find a way to celebrate or just appreciate what you have achieved.

Pepperoni

Well done on becoming debt free. I am so sorry to hear that it is bitter sweet for you. You could have spent many more years paying it off so try and take some comfort in it all now being gone.

bargainbetty

You still have many years left, and you are beholden to no one. No one.

Congratulations - you have achieved what many on here are still working towards, and and free at last.

Muhren

Firstly well done on becoming debt free.

I know that you can't really control how you feel but try and take the positives out of the situation. This can be easier said than done but you should hopefully now be able to do more of what you want now that you are debt free.

hilltop

Thank you all for your positive replies.

I will move forward aware that "Improved" Credit Ratings are simply a trap to seduce me back into debt and that a Debit Card with no bank overdraft facility is the only way for me to stay debt free.

I have just renewed my driving licence so I shall save up for a nearly new car and enjoy my retirement.

in_need_of_direction

Best wishes with that.

Sazzie23

Hey

Very well done for getting to the debt free date, 10 years of DMP it's no wonder you are feeling underwhelmed by it all.

That was a great challenge and you made it, give yourself a bit of a break, a tiny treat of something your haven't been able to do for a while or plan something you've always enjoyed. Maybe you haven't been able to tell people bout your debts, thanks for sharing with us.

Don't forget the debt to free roll of honour, you deserve it and more too. Helpfully the budget skills you have honed over the last 10 years will stand you in good stead for the next 30 !

tealady

Juts remember these lines
"Grow old along with me
The best is yet to be"

For you - the best IS yet to be, a long happy DEBT FREE retirement, now go out there and enjoy.

Stewart_78

I can totally understand that it must be a slightly odd feeling. You should be happy that you have climbed such a mountain but at the same time there is the regret that you mention and also possibly that you have lost something that has been such a big part of your life. Being in debt can be all consuming but I suppose for many of us it becomes a way in which we see ourselves so, when it's gone, you probably need some time to grow into who you have become, a debt free person.

Good luck for the future and very well done on conquering your debt. 70 is young these days. Go get 'em.