DMP Mutual Support Thread (Part 5)

icecube2009

I sent my statements, pay slips etc to CCCS a few days ago & got the letter today saying all is going ahead, so how long will it now take for them to contact my creditors?

crafty1

icecube2009 wrote: »

Yes we have sent £1 postal orders for April, then DMP starts in June, good luck with yours!!

Good luck for you to - the 2 months of token payments makes me a bit nervous but no other way to do it:cool:
tbh it all makes me nervous but also excited in a pervese way:D

icecube2009

crafty1 wrote: »

Good luck for you to - the 2 months of token payments makes me a bit nervous but no other way to do it:cool:
tbh it all makes me nervous but also excited in a pervese way:D

I am terrified every time the phone rings! before we started the dMP, we did go & change our contact details with most of them and put in an old mobile number & just keep the phone charged (so it does ring) but on silent in a drawer!!
I dread the postman coming too!! LOL
I do feel a bit more relaxed though I worried terribly every month because we couldnt meet payments (although were up to date because we have been borrowing from one to pay another) but then again, it was easier if the kids needed something just to be able to stick new school uniforms etc. on credit cards & not worry about not being able to afford it (which I am now, with DD needing new clothes desperately & DS starting a new school in spetember), stupid eh! should have been more worried about not being able to afford the CC bills!!

ianmak

I found it easier to speak to them on the phone. Stopped them from ringing at least. They're really not all that bad (though some are!).

I understand of course that that method isn't for everyone.

icecube2009

ianmak wrote: »

I found it easier to speak to them on the phone. Stopped them from ringing at least. They're really not all that bad (though some are!).

I understand of course that that method isn't for everyone.

see i thought i read on another thread that you shouldnt speak to them (maybe just wishful thinking!) maybe i will answer then next time. DH did answer one from LLoyds & it was International & they didnt know what he was talking about (or so they said) so he put the phone down!

ianmak

I think the general consensus is that you shouldn't, and you may say something on the phone that you wish you hadn't (as all calls are recorded), plus you may sink and give them some money?

It all depends on how strong and disciplined you are.

icecube2009

ianmak wrote: »

I think the general consensus is that you shouldn't, and you may say something on the phone that you wish you hadn't (as all calls are recorded), plus you may sink and give them some money?

It all depends on how strong and disciplined you are.

Ok thanks for your help

symesd

Toffee_Penny wrote: »

Had a letter from NDR for my Great Universal account, they are still charging £12 a month late payment fee :mad: despite me asking for a CCA and not getting anything back they have said they will pass the debt on if I don't pay in full immediately.

Don't worry - I had over £1000 with Choice catalogue with the DEBT being passed to NDR, who did the same with me for ages, I have been with CCCS since Sep'08 and they have stopped putting the charges on now and accepted that I am in DMP and making regular payments...

My debt with them is now down to a lovely £347, meaning I will soon be able to make a full & final settlement offer, which is what I have been trying to do with my Creditors I save what I can or put aside any money made from sale of CD's DVD's and stuff online and at Car boot sales and have managed to make enough money to pay off 4 of my creditors by making Full & Final settlement offers when the Debt gets more managable.

But the smaller debts are almost gone now, only the big ones so this will stop soon. But I am dealing with my debt and this whole process has turned me around making me thrifty and careful with my money. I make every penny count now....literally, we have a penny jar which we take to Asda before pay day when we are really skint just to make it through, but we are not doing this quite so often now we are getting better at budgetting.

Things do get better.;)

crafty1

Have been refining my budget ready for calling the CCCS on Monday (exciting Saturday night!!) they 'allow' £383 for food for a family of 4 - my question is, is it ok to take their budget even if it appears quite generous with the thought that i may be able to save a little bit and put aside for unexpected outlays or if I ever had to produce and I/E for court would they say that my budget was too much.

Hope that makes sense, I've had a glass of wine and am off to bed now to dream of my debt free date!!:beer:

Toffee_Penny

Hi Crafty

I put down £400 for 2 adults 2 children as our monthly budget for food. Sometimes I spend over £100 one week stocking up on freezer stuff and meat, other weeks I could spend £70. I have yet to master feeding the whole family for £5 a week :rotfl:I'm not that disciplined

Don't leave yourself with the amount dead on, allow yourself a bit extra and if you over spend one week you know you are still within budget and can cut back the next. If you underspend then you have a few extra quid to play with during the month.

If CCCS estimated amount is ok for your family then go with their £383 but they do allow up to £420 (I think) for a family of four. Just remember not to skint yourself too much when setting up your new budget, it's easy to fall into the trap of looking at your debt free date and upping the payments to get the end date closer but just remember the cost of living, daily expenses for your family.