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I did it, I'm debt free
looby1975
Posts: 400 Forumite
Thanks to the brilliant help, advice and support from MSE and CCCS/Stepchange I have finally paid off every penny I owe :j
Admittedly it's taken me 8 years to pay off just under £9k but at the start it felt like it would never be possible, I was chasing my tail paying one creditor when I could then trying to avoid the rest. No matter how hard I tried to arrange a payment plan they just wouldn't listen.
In desperation I came here for advice and got it in droves, I also for the first time ever wasn't judged for being in debt. I had a huge change in circumstances that was totally out of my control and the debt spiralled because of that. I was pointed in the direction of Stepchange (or CCCS as it was then) and after that I've never looked back.
Today I got a lovely card from them congratulating me on my debt free status, on paper I was debt free a few weeks ago but it was lovely to get the offical nod today.
So I'd just like to say for anyone who is at the start of their debt free journey, no matter how long it's going to take you don't give in, just plod along and you really will get there.
Admittedly it's taken me 8 years to pay off just under £9k but at the start it felt like it would never be possible, I was chasing my tail paying one creditor when I could then trying to avoid the rest. No matter how hard I tried to arrange a payment plan they just wouldn't listen.
In desperation I came here for advice and got it in droves, I also for the first time ever wasn't judged for being in debt. I had a huge change in circumstances that was totally out of my control and the debt spiralled because of that. I was pointed in the direction of Stepchange (or CCCS as it was then) and after that I've never looked back.
Today I got a lovely card from them congratulating me on my debt free status, on paper I was debt free a few weeks ago but it was lovely to get the offical nod today.
So I'd just like to say for anyone who is at the start of their debt free journey, no matter how long it's going to take you don't give in, just plod along and you really will get there.
I'm not an AE I'm just an idiot who forgot to update email details, went away for a bit and then tried to come back after the old laptop died 
:rotfl:
:rotfl:0
Comments
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Thanks to the brilliant help, advice and support from MSE and CCCS/Stepchange I have finally paid off every penny I owe :j
Admittedly it's taken me 8 years to pay off just under £9k but at the start it felt like it would never be possible, I was chasing my tail paying one creditor when I could then trying to avoid the rest. No matter how hard I tried to arrange a payment plan they just wouldn't listen.
In desperation I came here for advice and got it in droves, I also for the first time ever wasn't judged for being in debt. I had a huge change in circumstances that was totally out of my control and the debt spiralled because of that. I was pointed in the direction of Stepchange (or CCCS as it was then) and after that I've never looked back.
Today I got a lovely card from them congratulating me on my debt free status, on paper I was debt free a few weeks ago but it was lovely to get the offical nod today.
So I'd just like to say for anyone who is at the start of their debt free journey, no matter how long it's going to take you don't give in, just plod along and you really will get there.
Hey! Congratulations. :T
Great post and encouraging for Newbies and those just starting on their debt free journeys.Debt 30k in 2008.:eek::o Cleared all my debt in 2013 and loving being debt free
Mortgage free since 20140 -
Congratulations!! well done you xTotal Debt in Feb 2015 - £6,052 | DEBT FREE 26/05/2017Swagbucks £200 Valued Opinions £100Dave Ramsey Baby Step 2 | Mr Money Mustache Addict0
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What a fabulous early Christmas present to yourself! Well done you! :T:T:T
Don't forget to post on the DF Roll of Honour will you! :j:beer::money:🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00. Balance as at 31/12/25 = £ 91,100.00
SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her0 -
You must be over the moon - congratulations!0
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Brilliant news. Well done. I'm taking inspiration from this!0
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That's great news. Good for you. I bet there were plenty of times when it felt like this day would never come.
What are you going to do with the spare money now? Spend or save? A dilemma!0 -
Very good news. And great encouragement for those of us trying to resist the allure of the precious things of the Christmas Shops in order to get out of debt ASAP!Total debt at 18.9.17 £1950
Debts down £12,700 high in Feb 2015, £10,700 April 15, £8830 May 15, £6776 June 15 , £5857 July 15 £6970 1.3.16
£3950 15 May 2017 £3470 July 17 £2650 21.8.170 -
Hugely well done, looby.
At this point, a plateau pause is in order, just to let that No Spend/Low Spend SAVE mentality really bed in.
As you're already finding, it is a wonderful 'lift' feeling to be without debt, absolutely owing not a thing to anyone....and you have done this over a long steady period, which is even more remarkable and praiseworthy.
I really congratulate you. You'll find saving is just as addictive:-)CAP[UK]for FREE EXPERT DEBT &BUDGET HELP:
01274 760721, freephone0800 328 0006'People don't want much. They want: "Someone to love, somewhere to live, somewhere to work and something to hope for."
Norman Kirk, NZLP- Prime Minister, 1972
***JE SUIS CHARLIE***
'It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere' François-Marie AROUET
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MASSIVE well done to you! A very inspiring post Sealed Pot Challenge No - 492
£1000 Emergency Fund No - #1950 -
Congratulations, that's amazing :T:T
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