DMP Mutual Support Thread (Part 5)

jenevieve

Thanks md,
I'm not actually paying my overdraft off in any way so what I might do is hold off on writing to my bank for a few weeks. I'm getting my letters to my other creditors off on Monday as there are payment dates to keep to. Think I might hang on with my bank until I've moved my salary, direct debits etc.....

I am trying to read through the whole thread and what keeps coming up repeatedly is that the first few months are a bit stressful with calls and letters but that it generally settles down after that.
My only contact number my creditors have is my mobile as I share with a friend and have never given our landline number out so there won't be any dodgy calls that I will have to explain to her.
I can easily ignore calls to my mobile as well!!
No one seems to regret going on a DMP either which is reassuring and there is a lot of comments about how people wish they had done it sooner.
Certainly, I couldn't have gone on the way I was much longer and it seemed there was no way out of my spiralling problem.

Eriberri

I'm another long hauler! My current DFD is 2020!! But my circumstances should change so I fully intend to get that DFD brought closer.

My first payment was February and I've had a statement from CCCS. It's kind of weird that my largest creditors have been very well behaved and gone "ok" and the smaller creditors have been awkward and said they won't accept the offers made. Well, tough!! lol!

The other weird thing (I think!) is the experiences other people have had with the same creditors - I've had very little hassle, I had phone calls when I first sent letters saying I was going on to the DMP but when I eventually actually answered the phone, they were all ok and the calls stopped. I've only just started this DMP, and I've had no phone calls this month. It all seems a bit too easy when you read other people's experiences! Have to admit it does make me a little paranoid!! I've had letters with default notices, which I'm just keeping in my DMP file, but nothing like I was expecting.

And what is also good is that I've done my first month on my budget (having never budgeted in my life before) and its been ok and worked! I feel really quite chuffed with that!!

Fullhouse

msc1977 wrote: »

We're 1st April too!!:j

I,m 1st April too!!:beer:

jenevieve

I'm reading my way through the thread about recent activity on credit cards.....
Basically for the last good few months, I have been paying min payments (or arrears if I can afford it) but then consequently have been withdrawing cash on my credit cards. Consequently, I am over my limit on 3 of my 4 cards......into a vicious circle really.
However, by withdrawing cash on them is 'activity', will that affect their willingness to accept my dmp?

ald65

keithing-ger wrote: »

Started by DMP on 1st February 2009. Still getting calls from creditors and they have not responded to the DMP advisors letters. Is this normal?

We found that some of the creditors continued to phone up to three months after the start of the DMP [most stopped within the month].
Eventually the calls stopped although we do get the odd one requesting an update. Strange but it is always the same companies that deny ever receiving updates from Payplan:rolleyes:

geoffmr1

Hi Jenevieve,

You are doing the right thing by getting all your direct debits & salary moved to your new account before notifying the old bank of your plans. Obviously different banks have their own policies & everyone on here will have their own stories, but so far I've found Abbey National to be very good but Nationwide & HSBC to be completely ignorant. Neither Nationwide or HSBC would accept the DMP & although I have since managed to come to an agreement with Nationwide, the HSBC debt continues to rise.

For all the new people just joining DMP's what you'll find is that the original creditors will quite often issue a default notice & then sell the debt off. Aside from HSBC & HFC/Weightmans solicitors all my debts have been sold on to DCA's. In some circumstances that can actually be a good thing & should it happen to you then don't let it be something that worries you. Usually they'll send a letter asking you to contact them but just notify CCCS/Payplan etc & give them the company name & account number so they send the money to the right firm.

Just remember there is always support & advice available on here. I know how hard it can be & the sleepless nights you can have, but try to keep your spirits up no matter the type of letters you get. A DMP really is a good thing for many people.

jenevieve

Just wondering how many other DMPers rent? I am currently house-sharing with a good friend (which she owns) and basically pay £500 for everything excluding the landline phone bill and food.
I was living on my own for 9 years previously and don't think I could afford to live on my own for ages again let alone buy my own house.
The only downside to that is I have absolutely no control over utilities etc and although my friend isn't extravagant and likes a good deal, she is certainly comfortable and doesn't have to watch the pennies like I will now.

I'm trying to take control of the food shopping and cooking a bit so I can meal plan and try and reduce costs as much as possible.

Anyone else with any experiences of this?

dlb

I rent Jenevieve.

Quillion

Thanks DLB i contacted payplan today and they said on the reduced hours at work they can't do much but told me to do the token gesture payments and when we go back to normal hours ring them back and start the dmp.
Just waiting for the information now.
Tmorrow i need to buy ink for printer got a few letters to write !!

ianmak

Looking at the last page, I have a few comments...

1) Phone calls. I supplied them with my home number, and removed my work at mob numbers pretty soon. All fine now. A couple of months ago my old landlady (who I lived with over 5 years ago) received a phone call from one of my creditors trying to get hold of me. Thankfully she's the sort to not give my details out. Just to be aware a trick of some creditors is to contacts old contact details....

2) As mentioned before, it will take time for creditors to acknowledge DMPs, and also that smaller debts can be more troublesome. One of my bank accounts today finally recognised my DMP, 5 months after starting it... Now I just have to get them to accept it.

3) I started my DMP with a 20 year debt free date. I've just reduced this to 10 years (ish). I've been fortunate in the current climate (Promotion and payrise), though PayPlan did start with a very generous budget, and I've tried to reduce this. Circumstances change.

4) I didn't contact my creditors initially in any way other than to send them token payments (A cheque sent with those giro slips). I relied on PayPlan to do that. Whether that was right or wrong I don't know. When I changed bank accounts I merely cancelled my DDs and moved them over. The old bank account is on my DMP.

Dunno if the above will help, but just wanted to mention it.