How was 2015 for you?

DD265

2015 started focused - I had a goal in mind (to move into a flat with my OH) and set off with the sole intention of achieving that.

In May, having "given up" on finding one for a few months we blew the money on a holiday within the same week as finding our new home. That resulted in me building up credit card bills however so far this month I haven't added anything on to the credit card.

I paid off my student loan grant over payment. I took on additional work meaning I could boost my income. For a short while I had an emergency fund exceeding £250 - then I needed it. But at least it was there to be used!

I have a plan for 2016 and I'm quite excited about carrying it out.

Triangle

2015 has been massive for us- we finally tackled the year after year cycle of debt and after seeking advice, started a DMP with Stepchange. I was terrified and felt like such a let down. However, only 3 months in and it is without doubt the best thing we could have done. That's not to underestimate the seriousness of it of course - but for the first time ever I am working to a budget.

And most amazingly of all - this is the first Christmas in years that we haven't used any form of credit (and also the first year we haven't whacked car repairs on credit!) and I have never felt happier!

DMP support thread - a total lifesaver.

Sazzie23

Well 2015 for me has not been a good year.

Putting a positive spin, I haven't increased my debt though my DFD has changed from 2018 to 2031!

I am still here, though many many times this year I've thought about exiting, but MSE has helped me realise that there is something positive I can contribute and that there are people who are much worse off than me that I can help.

It's been one day at a time literally, some days it was a struggle to even get out of bed, physically and mentally, but I've only had one day when I didn't make it to work. Quite a few late days though but the boss never commented negatively, how lucky am I !

I'd like to thank everyone who posts something motivational on the DFW forums, quite often a tiny little light flicks on when I read something like like that (Boberela yours is one of those) and often that's been a great help getting me to focus to do stuff, no matter how small.

Dizzy_Imp

2015 has been a mixed bag for me. Started in the usual way - utter despair over the cost of Christmas. Cue major depression and medication.

Hubby then suggested moving to a new area after spotting a job he fancied. Lots of house-hunting. Dream home found and job offer through.

Huge bonus for DH from work. Completely taken by debt repayments. Two puppies join our home.

House purchase taking so long that DH starts job 300 miles away leaving me home alone with 4 kids, 3 dogs and an entire house to pack on my own. Lovely tenants found for our house in Sussex, as decided not to sell.

Moving day. OMG - never again.

Blissful summer and autumn, gathering home produce and enjoying country life and then wham! Huge flooding after horrendous rain and river bursting it's banks. Life in a caravan is not great, but insurance was water-tight (black-humoured pun intended) so hopefully all repairs over the next 12 months will be sorted.

DH's work is crazy mad, so have done all Crimble shopping on my tod and now exhausted. Just got the celebrations tomorrow through to New Year to get through. This includes hubby's birthday on NYE then I'm done. Where did the time go?

2016 is certain to be a busy year. And expensive. Wish me luck on my continued journey of debt busting! Have a lovely festive time everybody xxx

black_cat

2015 has been a good year financially - we are now debt free!
Personally, there has been serious illness in the family but we appear to be over the worst.
Work has been pretty stressful, but there may be some changes on that front in 2016...
I'm generally entering the new year in a positive frame of mind.

Best wishes to everyone for 2016 :beer:

LionessInWinter

Financially we have paid off over £10k in credit card payments which is quite an achievement for us as we have paid 67% off. I started a higher paying job, but more deductions for retirement, benefits and union dues so not really feeling the increase yet. My husband started working again. Unfortunately, my dad has been in and out of hospital and my siblings aren't all getting along.

cally6008

Two positives for me -
1 - We've paid off the £300 we owed my parents.
2 - It will be 4 weeks on sunday since OH ditched the cigs and went on to an E-cig. That's £280 saved so far.

princess_pea

I'm in a completely different place at the end of 2015 than I was at the beginning. I turned 30 at the start of the year after another Christmas paid for with credit. I'd been in a bad relationship for 7 years, was completely over-worked and unsupported at work, waiting for the results of my masters that I'd convinced myself I'd failed and still had a large amount of debt. I also had to put up with a nightmare noisy neighbour.

At the end of January I had a meltdown and ended up being signed off work with stress and anxiety for 5 weeks. I started on antidepressants for the first time and years of being very unhappy had finally caught up with me. By February I ended my toxic relationship and gained my masters degree with flying colours. By March I was back at work and started a new relationship. Things were better at work and I've learnt not to worry about things that really don't matter in the grand scheme of things.

Fast-forward to August and I've had the best few months in my new relationship. I've met lots of new people, made new friends and done new things. I hadn't realised how isolated I was before. At the end of August we got engaged (to the delight of our friends and family) and by October I had given up my rented flat and moved in to my partner's. I also started extra hours at work in determination to pay for the wedding next year without using credit. I'm even enjoying the extra hours as it is working on a specific project and it feels good to put the extra money in the wedding pot every month and see it grow.

We've just had a lovely Christmas, the first one where I haven't gone mad or used any credit. Being with the right person has made such a difference and I feel so lucky.

Next year I'll be debt free in March and we're on target to pay for the wedding in September without getting into debt. I'm starting a postgraduate certificate in academic practice which work are paying for. After the wedding our goal is to save for a mortgage.

This time last year I really felt rock bottom and wouldn't have believed it if someone had told me I'd actually be happy, nearly debt-free and getting married in a year's time. I think I had to be brave enough to realise I needed to make the changes myself, even though the future was so uncertain. It's been both the scariest and best year of my life.

For everyone who feels utterly hopeless - it will get better. This forum has been such a motivation for me to get my life and finances in order. I honestly don't think I'd have made it to where I am today without it, so thank you to everyone who posts on here!

January2015

2015 was the year I found DFW forum. What more can I say

Ches

2015 was the year I realised that the amount I had in savings had to be offset against the money I owed on the CC so wasn't the true picture. Family has repaid all the money they owed which has been put back into savings and all the CC debt has been paid. 2016 is the year I am adding to the savings (plus pay for 2 holidays).