DMP & Mutual Support Thread - Part 10

January2015 · 31 January 2015 at 3:04AM

Ok - so I've sent out DMP agreement, direct debit, salary evidence etc to StepChange, but DH and I sat and chatted tonight and we decided that we would lose weight at the same time as losing debt. We would both like to join weightwatchers but the monthly fee for both us would be £42.90. We don't smoke or drink but obviously do overeat. We've tried dieting without joining a slimming club before but never stuck to it.

My question is - would StepChange be okay if I asked them to add this to our expenditure? We are both in the 'obese' range - close to severely obese (but only on paper - if you ask me we are just on the widescreen setting or are under height for our weight;)). We thought about joining a gym but decided that was too much (financially) and we would start with walking together in the evenings and setting up the Wii Fit that my son left here when he moved out.

Having sent all the stuff back is it too late to ask StepChange to include this 'new' expenditure?

January2015 · 31 January 2015 at 3:06AM

goingtosavein2015 wrote: »

I am new to the forums and feel strangely nervous pstin here so please bare with me.

I am coming to the end of a DMP with stpchange and I have a quick question. I have just opened a current account with Halifax and I wondered if there was a way of asking them for no overdraft and no credit card. I have selected no for all of the mcontacted by my post, text aand phone.

What do you guys thnk?

Halifax current account does come with a credit card - only a debit card. You would have to apply for a credit card separately.

I don't know whether an overdraft limit is set up automatically or not - I would think you could request zero overdraft though.

Puzzcat · 31 January 2015 at 8:06AM

January2015 wrote: »

Ok - so I've sent out DMP agreement, direct debit, salary evidence etc to StepChange, but DH and I sat and chatted tonight and we decided that we would lose weight at the same time as losing debt. We would both like to join weightwatchers but the monthly fee for both us would be £42.90. We don't smoke or drink but obviously do overeat. We've tried dieting without joining a slimming club before but never stuck to it.

My question is - would StepChange be okay if I asked them to add this to our expenditure? We are both in the 'obese' range - close to severely obese (but only on paper - if you ask me we are just on the widescreen setting or are under height for our weight;)). We thought about joining a gym but decided that was too much (financially) and we would start with walking together in the evenings and setting up the Wii Fit that my son left here when he moved out.

Having sent all the stuff back is it too late to ask StepChange to include this 'new' expenditure?

Hi January,
I don't think it's too late to change the budget but would try to work this expenditure into a category that is listed ie; smoking unless here is an allowance for gym membership. Sorry I can't remember the categories listed. I would do it quickly though before they start contacting your creditors.
Puzz

james_joyce · 31 January 2015 at 10:17AM

Morning all, I've heard back from my first creditor, who have agreed to my request to reduce my monthly payment from £300 to £40. Looking good so far!

Regards
James

SquirrelNuts · 31 January 2015 at 10:21AM

January2015 wrote: »

Ok - so I've sent out DMP agreement, direct debit, salary evidence etc to StepChange, but DH and I sat and chatted tonight and we decided that we would lose weight at the same time as losing debt. We would both like to join weightwatchers but the monthly fee for both us would be £42.90. We don't smoke or drink but obviously do overeat. We've tried dieting without joining a slimming club before but never stuck to it.

My question is - would StepChange be okay if I asked them to add this to our expenditure? We are both in the 'obese' range - close to severely obese (but only on paper - if you ask me we are just on the widescreen setting or are under height for our weight;)). We thought about joining a gym but decided that was too much (financially) and we would start with walking together in the evenings and setting up the Wii Fit that my son left here when he moved out.

Having sent all the stuff back is it too late to ask StepChange to include this 'new' expenditure?

Hi January2015,

What a great goal - and best of luck to you both with your aims!

Just a thought... before you commit to spending £500 a year, why not take a look through this thread first as there appears to be lots of free alternatives to Weight Watchers which may work just as well for you. It looks like a good support network on there too...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5143191

cheers
Squiz

SquirrelNuts · 31 January 2015 at 10:24AM

james_joyce wrote: »

Morning all, I've heard back from my first creditor, who have agreed to my request to reduce my monthly payment from £300 to £40. Looking good so far!

Regards
James

Hi James

1 down...

I found that most creditors wont write even though they accepted the DMP. The odd few do as you have found. Some may say they wont accept, but Stepchange just pay them the set amount anyway and they eventually fall into line...

cheers
Squiz

james_joyce · 31 January 2015 at 10:45AM

SquirrelNuts wrote: »

Hi James

1 down...

I found that most creditors wont write even though they accepted the DMP. The odd few do as you have found. Some may say they wont accept, but Stepchange just pay them the set amount anyway and they eventually fall into line...

cheers
Squiz

Thanks a lot Squiz, I've set up all the standing orders and I'll hold my nerve!

Hitachi don't accept bank payments so I will send them a cheque for £2 every month! I actually almost feel sorry for whoever it is at Hitachi that actually has to deal with these stupid low-value cheques all the time.

Regards
James

Time_to_face_the_music · 31 January 2015 at 10:46AM

Good morning fellow DMPers

Have seen a few requests for sample letters recently and they can be quite difficult to find on the thread, especially when it’s busy. So thought it would be useful to add a couple of the most requested letters here.

Letter for token payments, thanks to Puzz:

our address

Account details

Date

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to inform you that I am currently seeking advice and assistance regarding my current financial difficulties.

I am working with StepChange to set up a Debt Management Plan (DMP) – my reference number is *******. They will send you an offer of payment along with a copy of my budget and list of creditors.

I am unable to meet my normal monthly payments, would you please accept a token payment of £1 per month until StepChange contact you with my DMP details. I would appreciate if you could hold any action on the above account until this time.

I would ask that you please consider stopping or reducing interest and any other charges on my account to help me during my financial difficulties and to avoid increasing my debts any further.

I would please note all future communication should be in writing only.

I thank you in anticipation of your assistance and co-operation whilst I am going through this difficult time, and assure you that I am doing everything I can to resolve my current financial situation in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Yours faithfully

________________________________________

My letter to get interest stopped:

You

Date

Them

Dear Sir/Madam

Complaint re: [Creditor name] account No: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Thank you for your letter/statement concerning the above account. I am sorry that you feel unable to suspend interest/charges on the above account.

As you are aware, I/we am/are in a DMP with XXXXXXXX, reference number XXXXXXXX. The majority of my/our other creditors have agreed to the offer of payment and agreed to suspend any interest charges still accruing. They have accepted that to continue to charge interest would not assist us in my/our present financial difficulties, and can only serve to increase my/our total debt.

I/we have already paid considerable sums in interest to my/our account. If interest charges continue, the monthly instalments I/we am/are paying will not even cover that interest. Also, the cooperation of my/our other creditors who have agreed to freeze interest already would be put at risk.

I am aware that XXXXXXX subscribes to the Lending Code which states that lenders will consider reducing or suspending interest and charges if these would cause the debt to increase or lead to the repayment term becoming too extended. I would therefore be grateful if you would reconsider your decision not to freeze the interest. This would mean that the monthly payments I/we make would actually reduce the balance outstanding to your company.

Please consider this letter as a complaint about the interest charges you are continuing to apply to my account. I would like to see these stopped immediately and previous interest charges refunded.

If you are unable to help me with this issue, I will have no alternative but to take this case to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully

You
________________________________________

Lots more really useful letters and tons of other information on National Debtline website:

https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/...s/default.aspx

And for anyone doing this on their own, lots of fantastic information on NED CAB DMP website:

https://nedcab.cabmoney.org.uk/dmp.asp

Hope this is useful but if you need any more help, someone here will always offer their advice or point you in the direction of someone who can assist.

TTFTM x

james_joyce · 31 January 2015 at 10:57AM

Hi All,

I'm trying to work out the best cash ISA for my emergency/settlement fund. For us DMP-ers, so hopefully paying something (£1+) in every month, it looks like the Newcastle Building Society is quite a good option, based on Martin's review. Has anyone else looked into this please?

Regards
James

Back_on_budget · 31 January 2015 at 12:56PM

goingtosavein2015 wrote: »

I am new to the forums and feel strangely nervous pstin here so please bare with me.

I am coming to the end of a DMP with stpchange and I have a quick question. I have just opened a current account with Halifax and I wondered if there was a way of asking them for no overdraft and no credit card. I have selected no for all of the mcontacted by my post, text aand phone.

What do you guys thnk?

We got Halifax current accounts whilst on our DMP, and have never been offered an overdraft.

A credit card would normally be a separate application.

I doubt they will give you any credit now, but if they do offer it, or just give it to you, the. You can tell them to take it away - they can't force you to have a credit facility.

DMP & Mutual Support Thread - Part 10

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