Help from anyone on a DMP please!!!

pammer

I'm in the process of putting my debts onto a DMP with the CCCS. We've calculated the basic amount I need to survive on and what I can pay into the plan. Due to the amount of debt I'm looking at the plan lasting 9 yrs (worst case senario). I'm now waiting for some paperwork to come through.

Am I right in thinking that there is no provision for me to save for a holiday at least once in the next 9 years? That all extra cash has to go into the plan?

I appricaite that I am going to have to make serious sacrifices for this plan but I think I will be ready for the looney bin by the time this is over!

On a more practical note, how do you keep your spirits up when you don't have basic luxuries such as the TV or extra cash for the occasional day out?

I have spent the last 6 months living on the absolute minimum so I know it can be done, and now my income has increased I can join the plan (I'm self employed), but 9 years is such a long time, any positive suggestions would be much appriciated!!!

P x

churchrat

hi
I've been on a dmp for nearly 7 yrs, and almost finished. I run my own tho, so don't really know what cccs allow, but I do have some dmp experience about holidays etc.

I suppose you could save any free cash for hols and days out, but I would much rather have that money coming off the debt each month. Our last holiday was spent staying at a relatives house, and they stay with us.
We do have days out, but not expensive ones. We don't go to theme parks unless we can get deals, always take picnic food and try to do things that are free, or very cheap. We belong to the Nat Trust and joined loads of local groups, such as a nearby wild life centre run by the local council. (This has led to a job and a degree pathway for my dd!!)

We don't miss what we have never had, and our 3 children have grown up without trips to disney land or Spainish beaches, and I don't think they are disadvantaged by that.

We do have a TV (not big or flat screen )but no sky until this yr (and I must admit I do like it).

I suppose you get into the way of it and it does not seem at all like hardship, just a way to live. Our lives are much simpler than many of our friends or family, but that does not mean they are any worse because of it. We grow a lot in the garden, keep chickens and shop at charity shops--I have just realised that we are trend setters!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For the first time in my life I am ahead of the crowd!!!!

I think being able to sleep at night, not have anyone chase you for money and eventualy to be debt free for me has been a good exchange for not having a holiday in a crowded resort that I have spent an uncomfortable day getting to and the inevitable arguments with dh, dd and ds1&2!!!

So, if you go in thinking its going to be dreadful it probably will be, but if you can see the advantages I think you will be very pleasantly surprised.
good luck and keep in touch
Church rat

bigmommamuppet

I only started my DMP with CCCS in March so not much experience but my plan is that I will try and have a holiday during my DMP (8 yrs). I also need it to keep my sanity; therefore I'm planning to use some of my living allowance for a holiday next year. Defo can't afford one this year.

We usually go on a cheap holiday to Cyprus, S/C nothing too fancy but apart from the cost of getting there, its quite cheap living once we're there as the kids are happy playing in the pool all day. My reckoning is the money allocated to me from the CCCS is mine to do whatever I want with and with careful budgeting and any extra income via overtime/ ebay etc. should be used to 'treat' ourselves. Any substantial increase in our income then I would up my payments to my creditors but until then I’m going to try and have a family day out once a month and save for a holiday. :T

angelflower_2

The way around it for me is to work out what I will need to afford my planned luxury (holiday, day out or trip to cinema) and budget accordingly.

Some weeks/months this means either a reduced grocery budget. Decision to use some of my savings for my home maintenance fund or join a challenge such as the make £10 a day challenge to make the money needed.