I want to be debt free in 2026!

debtfreein26

Hello

I'm new here but I've used MSE and read posts on the forums in the past. Over the last 10 years or so I've constantly been in debt and nearly out of it and then back into debt. It's been a range of things but usually just not making enough money to cover everything I've needed. I started a new job in March last year and the salary is a bit more than I've previously had and I can finally cover all my bills with some spare. I've already paid down a bit of my debt in 2025 but this year I want to get serious and try to get it all paid off. Fingers crossed!

CC1: £5617.72
CC2: £2432.02

Total: £7959.74

So, I'm hoping this will give me some accountability and ideas for ways to make a bit extra to pay it all down!

Good luck to everyone else on this mission!

fatbelly

Are the credit cards defaulted? Or are they still attracting interest?

debtfreein26

They're on 0% transfers. Though on CC1 the 0% periods run out across the year. I've got a spreadsheet set up so I can track what I've paid and know how much I need to pay off by when. It's a virgin credit card and they have a really great box on the statement which shows you how much you need to pay down and by what date.

ManyWays

so can you pay about £650 a month to the cards? 

debtfreein26

Well, that's what it will take to pay them off in the year. 
I work 4 days a week and I do some other work 1 day a week. It has been quiet lately but I've applied to a lot of agencies and have a couple of them who've signed me up at the end of december. The work is by the hour, so it depends how many hours I get assigned. Ideally, I could make £500 a month if I work really hard. And then if I cut back a bit on other stuff and sell some bits and pieces then I could potentially make up that extra amount. It's a bit up in the air but I'm trying to be optimistic and focused!

gwynlas

Well done on having a plan.

To me, who was constantly in debt for 30 years, nothing is as good as being able to pay off credit card each month and having spare cash.

RedLipstick

Nice one, welcome to the forum and good luck with your journey, will be following