The Debt Free Roll Of Honour

lucielle wrote: »

Lightbulb moment 11/12/07 (my Birthday)
Debts at highest 66K
Debt Fee Day 08/06/2013

Its taken a while but we've got there. Trying not to look at the whole amount and taking small steps made it more bearable. For anyone interested in my ramblings, hopefully here's a link to my diary http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=1000559
L

Many congratulations.

HHx

I suppose I had better do this, although compared to some of the stories & amounts on here, mine is a pittance, hence why I have put it off! Still every success story should be here!

Lightbulb moment: July 2012 I started panicking when my statutory maternity pay kicked in but I didn't actually start doing anything until 27th September 2012.

Debts at highest were: £2364 & had been hovering there for 2 years.

Debt free date: 6th March 2013

Pearl of Wisdom: For me, it was all about taking back control. I completely lost track of my finances & instead of facing them, I just stopped looking at my internet banking... for years! The BEST thing I did was to get an accounting app on my phone and painstakingly write every balance, every direct debit & other transaction made in & out, including paypal/topcashback & quidco balances, & even down to what shrapnel was in my pocket at any given time & where it was going. I started that in October, and carried it on through to the end of January, by which point I had dropped my outgoings by over £800 per month & only had £463 interest free debt remaining and a clear run at paying it off. Accountability kept me strong at resisting those "it's only a £1" moments.

Forum thread that helped me through: NinjaSavingKat's Ultimate Challenge 457 days/£16,600 - for anyone looking for an inspiration, this lady is the one to follow. She picked me up, whizzed me along, dusted off my knees when I fell over and shouted at me when I needed it. She even has me eating lentil stew! :rotfl:

Well they are all now paid off as well, after months / years of struggling, working 2 jobs / 7 days all year except December each year, gone and finished, as paid.

I cutg back on what I was spending, getting rid of my now ex husband!!, rejigging credit cards to 0% and now all paid off (£63K gone!!)

Keep a list of EVERY THING you spend
Check if cheaper is available,
Change suppliers of gas / electric
Meal plan
Don't go shopping when you are hungry as you will spend more!!

Badge please!!

Date of lightbulb moment: January 2008.

Debts at highest: £45,566. (Paid back almost £50,000.)

Debt-free date: June 2013.

Pearl of wisdom: Realise that the "little luxuries" add up! For example, I was buying large takeaway coffees every work day out of habit, which equated to about £60 a month or £720 a year.

General comments:

The DFW forum and MSE were invaluable for advice and support, to realise that you're not alone. Though I've not posted for a while, I've continued to read the forum regularly. It's a brilliant place.

The CCCS/Step Change have also been amazing. My DMP went smoothly with just a couple of relatively minor issues where creditors got difficult - I mainly dealt with these myself but it was always good to know CCCS/Step Change were there if/when I needed them to step in.

I'm now going to be £900 a month better off. I'm excited and scared at the same time! I shall save some but look forward to being able to spend (sensibly) without having to count every penny.

GOOD LUCK to all future DFWs and CONGRATULATIONS to all those that have made it!

:j:j:j

Well Done to everyone who has become to debt free. Enjoy your new found wealth!