your honesty is refreshing charlie1958. Regarding future use of credit, I think we need to adjust to current lending being normal for the time being. What I mean by that is, I've heard a lot of people say 'when things get better or when things get back to normal..' I doubt if credit will be easy for anyone in the short to medium term.
I wonder if the issue for some is feeling that a poor credit score is a smear on their character. I know personally, I almost became addicted to tracking my score, subscribed to credit referencing and worried if it dropped after enjoying a certain 'feel good' period of a few years with a very high credit score.

There is only one thing I want a credit card for and that's to hire a car on holiday when i can afford to pay for a holiday (guess where my payments are going after the last payment in january[:D]). No-where will hire you a car with a debit card.

A lot of people need to fund work expenses as well if they aren't given a corporate credit card.

That can be a real pain if it has to be done with hard earned cash rather than reclaimed in time to make the credit card payment in full.

gillian,

I had a panic recently as I had a prepaid mastercard from Cashplus, paid for the car hire online and then printed the voucher to read in the small print that any hire paid for with a prepaid card would require another credit card for the holding deposit on collection. I called cashplus and they said many of their customers were able to use the card for this. I was very nervous picking up the car as I hadn't told my husband there was any concern. I handed over the same prepaid card and there was no issue, the holding deposit was secured or 'locked off' from the prepaid funds. It does mean having a credit balance sufficient to cover the amount but it was agreat relief.It was credited back immediately on returning the car too so the money was there to pay for our cars repairs after returning the hire car.

I'm only a few weeks into the process but I've got to say that I've found the last few weeks liberating and I'm actually looking forward to the next few years! The thought of being debt free in 3 years is such a good feeling. I can't wait to learn how to function on a budget.We had a budget but didn't stick to it because we had the credit cards to fall back on. Even in such a short time, I can't believe how much I've changed. Like Charlie, I would see something and think "I'll have that thank you very much!" and would go and get it - paid with plastic of course. I didn't use the credit cards just for emergencies - they funded my lifestyle.

At this precise moment, I have a frozen bank account, £22 in my purse, a half tank of diesel in the car (which will last another 3 days?) and a Tesco gift card with £98 on it (this was a refund on a faulty item - there was a techy problem at Mr T's and they couldn't make the refund to my bank card. Thank God, 'cos it would have been locked up!)

I have a house full of food so we won't starve so things could be LOT worse. A month ago, I would think "so what? We'll live on the credit cards" but not any more!

I know it sounds as if Pammy1969 and I are separated at birth but glad that she is experiencing that sensation of "release" so early in the PTD. To me the PTD was not just a way of getting out of a very big hole but was such a wake-up call that from day one of that three year period, my whole attitude towards money (mainly money that did not belong to me!) changed. Amazingly, I no longer longer get invites by phone or mail from banks or CC companies offering me deals on new advances/balance transfers!

I admire your honesty - all of you!Facing up to your debt is one of the hardest, but best, things you will ever do. You are once again in control.