How do i know if a debt management plan is right for me?*Debt Free Diary Begins*

Emz1987

ive tried to fill out their debt remedy form but i really struggled because i dont know exactly what i pay out per month (which is bad i know )
and im worried about talking to someone on the phone.

marfan_not_martian

Emz1987 please dont be scared they are there to help you - they wont judge you. I have just started on a DMP and CCCS are wonderful they are very courteous and helpful. If you are struggling to fill in the debt remedy plan then perhaps it would be best if you took some time to work out from previous bills what your outgoings are.

Good luck let us know how you get on


With regards to sending token payments you may want to enclose a letter along these lines and remember to only enlose a token payment of say £1 up to £5 (I sent everyone £1 to be fair) but its up to you.

Reference :- {insert CC or loan agreement number here}

Dear Sir / Madam,


I am writing to inform you that I am seeking advice and assistance regarding my current financial difficulties.
I have sought the advice of “CCCS” and I am in the process of working out a Debt Management Plan with them. My CCS DMP Case Reference is XXXXXX.

All future payments to yourselves will be administered and managed on my behalf through CCCS. In view of my circumstances, please accept the enclosed payment of £XX in lieu of this month’s payment to yourself. To this end, I would appreciate if you would freeze all interest and other charges on the above account so my debt does not increase. Should my circumstances improve; additional payments will be made through CCCS.

Thank you for you assistance and understanding in this matter. I would appreciate it in future if all correspondence be made in writing to me.

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

Yours Faithfully
TYPE YOUR NAME HERE




When you have completed the debt remedy and opted to take on a DMP it depends on you when you want to start the plan.

I was fully uptodate with all my creditors as of end of Dec - then I decided enough was enough trying to juggle paying them all so I went online with CCCS and did their debt remedy plan.

To get some money behind me before the plan kicked in I sent £1 payments to my creditors for january and intend to do the same for February and the money I would have normally paid them (if available) I have stashed away so that I have an emergency fund.

Please dont worry - we are all in the same boat no one will judge you.

Go online with CCCS (www.cccs.co.uk) and fill in their debt remedy plan and if it says that a DMP is suited to your needs give it a go its not half as scary as you think. When you get your paperwork from CCCS - decide on a suitable starting date for you. Ie if you send of for paperwork now from CCCS - it may be best to start plan in April or May - and until then send your creditors token payments and tell them that you are talking to CCCS



MNM xx

Emz1987

this site is a god send, it really is!

my partner is already on a DMP with CCCS due to an accident he had 6 years ago putting him out of work etc etc. he has been really helpful and supportive.

the problem that i have now is this. we have just moved in to a new house so im not entirely sure what the rates are and council tax is etc. my partner and i made an agreement in our last house that he would pay the rent and i would be responsible for council tax and bills etc. but, he is keeping his end of the deal no problem but i am struggling to pay our bills as well as my own debt and its not fair on him.

we dont have a weekly/monthly budget for food shopping as we kind of just go shopping every now and then which is no good. and i dont really know how much i spend on petrol as it varies.
all i want is to have my own debts put in to a DMP and then to start splitting the rent/bils/council tax down the middle with my partner again.

hope this makes sense?

marfan_not_martian

With regards to shopping when you complete the debt remedy it gives u a suggest figure based on number in household so just use that - it will probarly be more that you actually spend but its better to be over budget than under and then any spare cash you have at end of month can be used for emergency fund.

With regards to rates perhaps you could google your area see if you can find out a rates figure

Emz1987

thank you again the advice and your useful PM. im going to attempt the cccs debt remedy now and if i still struggle, i will bite the bullet and ring them.

ill let you know how im getting on!

marfan_not_martian

Good luck Emz1987 - and well done you are doing the right thing trying to sort this out.

If you need any more help just shout xxxx

Emz1987

well i had a go at the cccs debt remedy and it came back advising me to speak to someone. the online chat system isnt working so it says leave a message but it can be up to 24 hours before someone responds. im off work today so wanted to make a start trying to sort things asap before my head explodes. looks like i will have to ring them

what information will they require from me when i ring them as i will try and get it together beforehand.

thanks all :A

Numpty_Monkey

From memory, its just the basics they will need , the figures don't have to be exact
because unlike the banks and finiance companys
CCCS have real humans :A

Any information you didn't have when you filled in the debt remedy would help

Emz1987

well ive just taken the first step and called CCCS :j i was so scared! i have a phobia of using the phone as it is so that was really hard but i already feel better :T the lady at the other end was very very nice

they have given me my reference number and i have an appointment booked with them for the 26th of Feb. What shall i do now? if i send token payments to the creditors i havent paid for this month, will this affect my arrangements with CCCS? Also, what if i get letters through the post in the meantime asking for money?

Thanks once again.....things can only get better i hope! :beer:

WorriedMart

Well done!! :T

If you have any payments due to creditors before the DMP starts, send them a £1 Postal Order each and a letter letting them know that you are entering in to a DMP with CCCS who will be in touch with them shortly, and quote your CCCS Reference number

If you get letters asking for money you can always write to them again, stating the same as above, but without the £1 token payment.

If you are not sure your entering in to a DMP yet, replace DMP with Seeking advice

May be worthwile to also state that you want all communication in writing, and not over the phone.