I WILL be debt free!!!

[HettySunshine]

I'm absolutely not showing off and I'm so sorry to all those struggling at the moment. I'm posting this as something for me to look at over the next twelve months, every time I have the urge to spend money on nonsense.

I have been dragging a pile of debt around with me for years, transferring it from one card to another, paying a bit off and then spending it again. For years my dh and I were short at the end of every month. We were crippled by nursery fees and car payments and I just don't know what. It was easy to use cards to top things up, PayPal credit, a Next account for clothes.

I have now worked out the maximum I can afford on my remaining debt and worked out that if I stick to it I can pay off my two biggest debts in 12 months. I can then use the money I save on those to pay off the rest.

If I am strict and careful I can be debt-free within 14- 15 months. This is mind-blowing and I so desperately want to do it.

Every time I think I need something new I am going to look at this message and ask myself 'Is it worth it?'.

This is all my own debt, my dh is really sensible with money and I have accrued this, not secretly, but totally on my own. Takeaways when he is away or working late and I can't be bothered to cook, 'oh I love that' when I know I can't afford it and don't need it. Spending money I don't have had become a habit and I could always find a way to justify it to myself.

It stops NOW!

I want to be free of this and I can be.

Well done and when you have paid it off try not let lifestyle creep use all the money you were throwing at debt repayment just fritter away but save it and have a discussion before speaking any of it so spending is intentional not spontaneous. Allocate that money every month whether it's to savings a small increase in food budget or to a holiday renovation new car fund or whatever but don't let it just sit in your current account good luck on the next stage to financial security

Well done 👏🏻

without being a Debbie Downer, now the really hard work starts. Not keeping 'treating' yourself now you're 'debt free' not going mad at Chrustmas now you're 'debt free' not buying takeaways nor you're 'debt free'. It's harder when you don't have a goal to be 'debt free'. So choose a goal - whether it's x amount just saved or y amount for a specific item.

best of luck x

Well done . I was left with lots of debt in my name when I separated with DP ( the debt was due to him being sacked and using cards for day to day living) . I have just paid off the largest CC which was £10,000 . Still a long way to go but feeling so much better and proud of myself .

This is such good advice, thank you. I can absolutely imagine myself using 'debt-free' as an excuse for all sorts of things.

I am going to keep reading this thread as a talisman to keep me in good habits.

You can do it! It's such a good feeling to feel the weight gradually lifting from your shoulders. I'm sure I'm a little bit taller!

Absolutely. We're making lovely plans to replace our uncomfortable sofa, have the carpets cleaned and replace the bulb in the oven!

I thought of you when I woke up this morning, love a happy thread!

@HettySunshine well done you! I have a huge debt that I'm going to start to pay off next month. If all goes to plan it'll take 3.5 years to pay off. It seems like a long time but time flies and if I don't get it sorted now it'll take even longer.

Can I ask which debt tracker you used? I think this will be useful for motivation for me.

I had a 3.5 year debt which I started paying 2 years ago, so 18 months to go now. It does seem like forever in the beginning! But time does pass so quickly. I feel like once I get to the last 12 months, I'll feel like I'm nearly there.

It's such a horrible feeling having a big debt hanging over you. It's been tough at times, but knowing I'm chipping away at it every month and there is an end point, helps a lot. Plus the peace of mind of not being chased for it any more!

Well done OP 😊I missed your thread earlier in the year but it's good to hear that you've made it to the end.

When I took early retirement I needed to tighten my belt.
When ever I wanted to impulse buy, I told myself to think about it for a few days and invariably I completely forgot about it!

Very inspiring OP, well done! 👏🏼

I consolidated about 30k of debt five years ago. April 2025 will be when it’s paid off - freeing up about £900 worth of disposable cash each month! I can’t bloody wait, it’s been such a struggle. All my own stupid fault but hopefully the lesson has been learnt.

It's TOMORROW!!!!

@HettySunshine
Well done you! You should be REALLY proud of yourself.
♥️♥️

@HettySunshine YOU MADE IT 💐
Really well done, you should be really proud of yourself. Wishing you a wonderful debt free Christmas and all the best for 2025 🤩

Thank you so much!! The final payment has gone out of my account but it hasn't cleared on the loan yet. I think it'll feel really when that balance is zero.

I can't quite believe it's over. I feel a bit tearful.

I feel tearful for you! I love threads like this! Xx

Well done 🥳

Congratulations! It's so nice to hear an uplifting story.

Congratulations! That's amazing to hear

Good luck.

I recommend the Debt Free Wannabee board on the moneysavingexpert website.

Done Sir!

well done OP, such a fabulous thread to read. I admire your perservence and doing this. one gold medal from me

Fantastic well done!

Why am I tearful that a stranger has managed this? So proud of you for all the small good decisions you have made to get here. Huge hugs and well done!

@HettySunshine congratulations!

Not to side track but I thought you might like to know that your original post struck such a note with me that I did something similar with ongoing credit card debt and I am now about 6 months away from being debt free apart from the Mortgage.

Thank you for posting and I am so happy for you that you have got there.