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Debt-free wannabe

Mutual support and help for those on their journey to becoming debt-free.

Struggling with debt? Ask a stepchange debt adviser a question
If you need help with your debts, this is the thread for you. This is a new thread, as the old one was getting a tad long. Trained advisers from StepChange Debt Charity are here and waiting to answer your debt questions. They're a friendly bunch so please don't be shy! There are three ways to get in touch: 1 - Simply post…
DMP mutual support thread part 13 !!
Welcome to the DMP mutual support thread Part 13 !! Here you can find help in starting and running your DMP, self managed, Stepchange, Payplan and any other DMP all welcome here, but we do encourage you to use a free service, not one you pay for. There is help on getting interest and charges stopped, how to start with an…
Charging Order? The myth
I feel that this is so important that I thought a new thread should be made to highlight the importance of understanding the law on Charging Orders and how many people are stuck with their property in the false believe that they have had a Charging Order put on their property. In particular the thousands of Northern Rock…
The Debt Free Roll Of Honour
Update December 2018. We started this Debt Free Roll of Honour back in 2006 and since then there have been some fabulously inspiring stories, which you'll see if you read below. To read the most recent debt-free announcements click the double arrow above to head to the last page of the discussion Back to Martin's original…
In Debt and Wannabe Debt Free? first Steps to take are here, please read, then ask questions.
This thread provides guidance about some good first steps you should take if you are in debt and want to get debt-free. It doesn’t matter how big or small your debt is, or whether you are comfortably paying your debts and looking for advice on where to cut back further or struggling to cover your basic needs - we are here…
Reclaiming money back from various payday loan companies
Hi all just wanted to share some good news regarding payday loan companies..... From early 2011 until mid 2014 I too was caught in the payday loan trap, all my own fault may I add, I borrow the money and in the end paid every penny back, would estimate 15000 over the years maybe 20. Early this year I saw all the news…
Pls remember Debt-Free Wannabe's for support and help not judgement
Martin (Lewis) made the following announcement a few years back. But the link in the stickies is broken. Anyhow, here is what Martin said: "Dear Money savers..... Debt Free Wannabe is one of my favorite boards on this site. It's also one which runs a delicate balance. Many people who have serious debts have hidden them for…
Debt-Free Wannabe Sticky - Provit & Statute Barred Letters, Defaults, Help and Guidance, All Here...
Debt-Free Wannabe Sticky - Please read for links to important topics and help Hi folks :) This is the Debt-Free Wannabe Sticky where links to all current important tools and information will be posted. Links: (1) Those who are new to debt, and want to know where to start, check out these first steps :…
Statute barred debts and the Limitation Act
Statute barred debts and the Limitation Act Statute Barred debts. A debt will be "Statute Barred" if there has been no acknowledgement of the debt by you making a payment or in writing within the relevant limitation period. The debt would then be legally UNENFORCEABLE, unless the creditor has already taken legal action…
Link Financial has produced CCA and terminated my account. How to proceed?
I requested the CCA for a Lloyds credit card taken out in 2006 and defaulted about 4 or 5 years later. The account was marked as a default on my file - I had a few around the same period. Since the defaults dropped off, I have kept everything 100% in order. My aim in requesting the CCA was for them to not be able to find…
Aged 50, in debt and unsure
I need to drastically take control of my finances. My partner and I have completely separate financial arrangements and commitments. I am not on the mortgage nor do I pay for any household bills apart from food shopping. I pay my own mobile phone bill, car tax, car insurance, fuel. I have always just earnt enough money to…
What do I do? Bankruptcy dro or worse
Right this is so hard for me to have to write but here goes… and any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated!! So I have had ( and relapsed) a gambling problem. I’m a single parent with 4 children. I work part time and always have. This battle has been going on for years but iv always stayed above water with help…
Looking for a little guidance to start my journey towards becoming debt-free.
Hello, I’ve been reading the advice on all the different threads about this, but there’s quite a bit to digest! So, I thought it might be best to ask a few questions about my own situation so I can create the best plan for me and mine. I currently have a little over £60k of unsecured debt caused (mostly) by some…
Large amount of debt and don’t know what to do
I want to post this to get some advice. I currently have about 45,000 pounds in overdraft and credit card debt. I have swapped the credit cards to zero percent. I have tried to pay back some of the overdraft money but the bank won’t pause the interest charges so I face 140 a month on one account charges and several hundred…
Joint Council tax debt after separation.
Hoping someone is able to give me some advice. My daughter has just come out of a relationship which only now we are getting news wasn’t great. They both rented a property for two years. While they both worked his credit wasn’t good so most of the bills were in her name. The only ones that were not were the water, rent and…
Dealing with £39K debt
Hello all, I built up debt over probably the last 2 decades, sometimes paying off, but then getting more credit. As the years went on and my wages increased I ended up taking out larger amounts of credit feeling I could handle it as I was always making the payments each month although increasingly this became the minimum…
Link Financial - Reducing Payments
I have a change in circumstances coming up so am in the process of trying to reduce all my payments on the debts. 5 are with Link and 1 with Intrum. I called up Link to ask them to reduce the payments to and they basically said they wouldn't do it unless I filled in an expenditure form. I said I saw no need for that as I…
Why is it so hard!
I just want to vent/rant to people who will honestly get it! Im working hard at paying back my debts, (I've paid back around £5000 in the past 12 months, £20000 still to go) sticking to a budget, doing everything thats on my plan but at this time of year with a school trip every bloody week, the summer social invites and…
Messed up to the sound of 23k worth of debt
Where to begin. I never thought I'd be in this position so I'm sorry to add another thread, but I need to own up and unf**k my finances. There's no point going through the details of how it all started and every knee-jerk reaction since, because the numbers don't lie and it's now killing me to the point it's affecting my…
Arrangement to pay
Hello everyone. I have been dealing with debt and with the help of reading through the forum I have managed to set up a self managed dmp with all but one of my creditors. I got all my debts to default first before setting up payment plans but today i noticed one of my debts on my credit file has changed to A - arrangement…
Unable to pay back Debt
Hello, I am a 28 year old working professional with at least £25K through credit cards, car loan and other debts like PayPal credit, Very, Novuno etc sitting on my head. I have been making minimum payments for a year now and now unable to make those as well due to changes with my salary compensations. I am worried about…
How to move forward
I have approx 40k plus of debt, I’m struggling with my mental health and I feel like I can’t cope anymore. Am I best to go via a DMP with step change? I’m so overwhelmed and I don’t know what to do.
NOSIA while awaiting CCA request
Looking for some advice please, My husband and I requested 5 x ccas from link the end of March after paying for over 3 years through a dmp and requested account on hold until received. Dates due on portal changed to June so seemed to be on hold. Recieved ccas in May that didn't seem compliant so sent 5 x disputes. 1 of…
Statutory Legal Audit Plan (Debt solutions)
Has anyone heard of or had any experience with these as a debt solution? Thanks in advance.
For info: You can now access your Experian Credit Report - for free on our app
Received this email download app and can access report. Take a look at your Experian Credit Report, which is now available as part of your free Experian account. Your free Experian Credit Report and Score are updated every 30 days. You might get email alerts about your credit report too, letting you know if it changes.…
Payplan and clearing debts
Hi, I am currently in a DMP (balance around 30k) with Payplan, I have an investment maturing next February which I will use to clear the debts which Payplan are aware off, I am receiving default notices in the post. I am best to continue paying the full payment to next February and get Payplan to see if they can negotate…
What to do (looking here also to see if anyone can help)
Right this is so hard for me to have to write but here goes… and any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated!! So I have had ( and relapsed) a gambling problem. I’m a single parent with 4 children. I work part time and always have. This battle has been going on for years but iv always stayed above water with help…
Vanquis Loan sold to Antelope Loans
I am currently in a self managed DMP. I had a loan with Vanquis, which I stopped payments in October 24, this loan then defaulted in January 2025. I have not been chased for this debt, so had no arranged payments. Today I have received an e-mail stating that my loan has been sold to Antelope Loans (Alive No.1). This does…
Debt Help Please
Good Morning All. New user here. So I have 20k of loans and credit card debt. I basically enjoyed my youth. Went on nice holidays. Brought Nice luxuries etc. Got the 0 percent offers on cards etc. Also lets say due to ADHD got addicted to taking more and spending more then I have. I have a done a DMP before tbh and all…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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