New Leaf for 2026 - Dire Debts

RAS

Good call ManyWays. It's important to factor in the Tesco card if it's reversion rate is 28.6% or above.

Given the new situation, you might want to use half the back pay for an emergency fund and half on Santander Loan2?

Something to cover house repairs, ill-health etc.

Once you see the monthly payments on the loans go down consider something like a Monzo account with different pots for holidays, clothing, whatever. Get into the habit saving for treats rather than buying on the cards? Even before you've cleared all the debts, put something aside from your released money if you want.

ManyWays

so its a clear win to switch that to barclaycard now - its ending pretty soon, and the Barclaycard will be at a lower rate than the Tesco

NeverendingDMP

Just want to say hello and well done for all the things you've done so far. There's plenty of challenges on here that will pop up over the next few days. Grocery shopping challenge,, also sometimes at the beginning of the year there will also be a live out of your cupboards challenge to avoid any shopping. Quite often there's savings/making extra income challenges-good to kick start the emergency fund. these will all be worth a read for ideas of how to make extra pennies into pounds. Have a look in the debt free challenges section.
You've moved some cards and canceled some d debits already. Only tiny things to add /to mention for anyone else having a read is instead of what looked like a monthly playstation subscription you can go on c d keys and get a monthly/3 monthly voucher code. Usually works out a bit cheaper. And for council tax some councils ask for the payments over ten months but you can ask for it to be spread over twelve to ease the money they budget. Honestly though you've made some great changes already and I reckon if you update your SOA when you get your new minimums you will see that it's all more positive. Keep it up x

ryandotdee

Well done on your progress! Seems like you have put some really solid foundations in place, I am in a similar boat to you, and am definitely in the adjustment phase of setting a budget based on my means and living within it, first couple of weeks it felt like deprivation, but then I realized how much of what I was spending was needless.  I am still on the journey, but I am on the road now and it feels good.

Cant help but wonder from your username, are you in the technology field work wise?