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.
The MSE Forum Team would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year. However, we know this time of year can be difficult for some. If you're struggling during the festive period, here's a list of organisations that might be able to help
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!
Mortgage free by 2023 (!)
Comments
-
Whoop. Two wins of £25 this month. Very happy with that. Also snaffled over £10 worth of surveys on prolific last night that suddenly all popped up. £6.75 cashed in and over £20 still waiting to credit.Happy bank holiday all. Sun is due to shine!DFW (08/08) £64,346.53 Gone (02/19)
MFW (08/08) £118k Gone (09/23)7 -
That's fantastic, brilliant start to the month, have a lovely long weekend xxdebtfreeoneday said:Whoop. Two wins of £25 this month. Very happy with that. Also snaffled over £10 worth of surveys on prolific last night that suddenly all popped up. £6.75 cashed in and over £20 still waiting to credit.Happy bank holiday all. Sun is due to shine!4 -
Good stuff, thats a *lot* in one go
2023: the year I get to buy a car3 -
Congratulations debtfree. I didn't realise the results already out, nothing for me, but good to hear you've been lucky - twice!!

I've been using Checkoutsmrt and Shoppmium a bit this month. Had some good bargains, with £10 cashback - I need to start keeping an eye on those again."Think of many things, do one"
Mortgage 30Jan'26 est. £204,330 £309,749 2020 (ends 2038 - aiming for 2031)
Seven Goals; target lose 4lbs by Feb'26; walk/run/exercising/weights/yoga3 -
£5 in from ipsos and we’ll on the way to another £5 payout. All others super quiet due to bank holidays.We were so lucky with the weather for the bank holidays. Two lovely days spent out with friends. Too much money spent but hey, life goes on.Decidedly wetter today so probably a quieter day around the house.DFW (08/08) £64,346.53 Gone (02/19)
MFW (08/08) £118k Gone (09/23)5 -
Great PB wins, you're so consistent with your other income streams so it's nice to have a boost isn't it.Nov 2025 - part 1 - £13,878 part 2 - £20,953 Total - £34,832 24 months to go!4
-
Income streams is the thing, isn't it - you *are* good at going that extra mile.
I completely forgot about checking my own bonds - I won £25 too
2023: the year I get to buy a car4 -
£9.10 in from prolific and a few other amounts so close to being payable.Currently blowing my brain up trying to decide whether to move energy suppliers and fix for 12 mths. Seems crazy to voluntarily increase our Costs now. Though I get it’s too guard against future rises in October. I also hate our current supplier with a passion, long time readers will know of the pain they caused last year and this. Our DD would increase £40 a month. I’m so undecided!!!DFW (08/08) £64,346.53 Gone (02/19)
MFW (08/08) £118k Gone (09/23)3 -
I think with things like that you just have to pick one and accept that you might be wrong - no one knows the right answer in advance, and I think how much you want/need security of knowing how much payments are going to be has to play a factor.debtfreeoneday said:£9.10 in from prolific and a few other amounts so close to being payable.Currently blowing my brain up trying to decide whether to move energy suppliers and fix for 12 mths. Seems crazy to voluntarily increase our Costs now. Though I get it’s too guard against future rises in October. I also hate our current supplier with a passion, long time readers will know of the pain they caused last year and this. Our DD would increase £40 a month. I’m so undecided!!!Start mortgage date: August 2022; Start mortgage amount: £240,999; Original mortgage free date: August 2056
Current mortgage amount: £226,957.97
Start student loan 2012: £29,750; current student loan: CLEARED July 20254 -
I would fix if I were not already on a fix until next July - the price is not going to suddenly lower and £40 a month for 4 months ahead of the next price cap, is a lot better than £100-£200 a month in OctoberSave £12k in 2025 #2 I saved £14,660.97 of £6000 or 244.35% of my target. The 2026 Save £12k in 2026 thread is here
OS Grocery Challenge in 2025 I finished the year at £2880.99/£3000 or 96.03% of my annual spend so I am sticking with a £3000 annual budget for 2026
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the grow your own in 2026 discussion thread
My keep within our budget diary is here3
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 353K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.8K Spending & Discounts
- 246K Work, Benefits & Business
- 602.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.8K Life & Family
- 260K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards

