DMP Mutual Support Thread (Part 6)

bigmommamuppet

Hi CASR25,

I've read your posts with interest, and honestly I could have been reading my life story. I thought about all the options that have gone through your mind i.e secured loans etc and I'm so glad I have gone down the DMP route.

Firstly I wanted to only include the CCs not the loans but I'm so glad I have included everything. Now I know I have so much to live on a month and the CCCs take care of everything else. I set up two basic accounts and each payday I transfer over the amounts for all my bills and never touch it again for a month. The money left in the other account is mine to do whatever I want, it's been hard getting used to living on a budget but my debts are going down. And I'm a lot happier.

Also noted that your taking a short Matty break, I also went back to work after 4 months with DS2 due to money and he's no worse for it. He's now 3 and a happy well adjusted sociable child and is well liked in nursery. (he went to childminder for the 1st year though). So don;t beat yourself up about not being able to stay a home longer. Good luck for the pending arrival and lets us know how you get on.

Take Care

Becks

CASR25

Oh, Becks - that was a lovely post to read - someone in the same situation, right down to going back to work. THANK YOU! :A

When I did the CCCs rememdy thing and it said we could have it all paid off in 5yrs 9mths, I cried. I wonder how realistic that is though - is that the best case senario i.e. that they all agreee to freeze interest etc???

Just worried about my hubby's commision too.

Going to look into changing banks and dd with bills etc.

I see a light at the end of the tunnel!

Twit_Head

CASR25 wrote: »

I see a light at the end of the tunnel!

Sometimes it may dim down to a dull flicker, but you'll know it really is the end, and you'll stay positive with all the help and support from everyone on the DMP thread. (Look after the 'bump'!)

CASR25

Well after days on this forum and considering our options, my hubby and I have decided to go with a DMP with CCCS!!!! Waiting for the pack through the post.

Going to find 2 joint bank accounts - one for bills, one for spends - any recommendations???

Then we're going to move the dd's that we're keeping from our current accounts to these new ones.

Hopefully, we'll have our 84k paid off in just over 6years!!!! Wow - hard to write down, but so pleased to have had LBM - now the fun begins!!!

We're both worried that some of our creditors (any ideas?) will be difficult and are wondering what life will hold once we are debt free!

So......can I have a special number please as I think I'm going to be a regular visitor!!!????

scouselad1974

Hi CASR25

Welcome to the forum, it is scary seeing how much you owe in words for the first time isn't it, you eventually get used to it and once the amount starts to reduce it makes everything worthwhile.

I have a basic account with the Co-Op (cashminder) and haven't had any problems so far, I also have a basic account with Natwest, I use one for bills and one for pleasure,although this balance is mostly at zero :rolleyes:

I pay my bills via direct debit where I have to, but have found paying things manually via online payments has made things much easier for me.

Good luck with the DMP, It will be the best decision that you have made, If your creditors refuse your offers or refuse to freeze interest, write to them and ask them to reconsider as you don't get unless you ask.

CASR25

scouselad1974 wrote: »

Hi CASR25

Good luck with the DMP, It will be the best decision that you have made, If your creditors refuse your offers or refuse to freeze interest, write to them and ask them to reconsider as you don't get unless you ask.

Thanks for your advice. What sort of card were you given - have you had trouble with places accepting it? Do you have a savings account?

Re the above quote - We have a saying in the north=east - 'shy bairns get nowt!'

scouselad1974

CASR25 wrote: »

Thanks for your advice. What sort of card were you given - have you had trouble with places accepting it? Do you have a savings account?

Re the above quote - We have a saying in the north=east - 'shy bairns get nowt!'

I like that saying, it makes a lot of sense, I can think of a few sayings we have in the North West, but If I repeat them I will probably get banned I imagine you geordies have some very simialr

I got a visa electron with the Co-Op, to be honest the only problem I have had is with Pay at the pump garages and I believe a lot of people have had trouble on trains etc.

Natwest gave me a solo card, I think they are issuing visa debit from this month, they also gave me a savings account

scouselad1974

A bit of advice for anyone thinking about starting a DMP with CCCS.
It will probably be the best decision that you ever make, if you are struggling to keep up with your minimum repayments and have no other option then just do it.

Once everything is up and running please keep an eye on your individual balances to ensure that your creditors have frozen interest etc, not all creditors will agree to this and by law they don't have to.

Write to your creditors and ask them to reconsider their decision, explaining your circumstances etc, if at first they refuse, don't give in,try and try again.

Ask them to refund any charges/interest that they have added to your account since you started your DMP, If you don't ask you don't get. Explain to them that this will reduce the time that it will take for you to repay your debt.

If they still refuse, go higher up in the company, send a letter or an email to the MD of the company in question, so far I have had a few decisions over turned this way.

I'm no expert on these matters and no doubt things may go t*** up at some point in the future, but this is what I have learnt over the past couple of months.

Keep on top of everything don't simply just let CCCS take control of everything, work with them and get the best results for you.

Lecture over ;)

CASR25

scouselad1974 wrote: »

A bit of advice for anyone thinking about starting a DMP with CCCS.
It will probably be the best decision that you ever make, if you are struggling to keep up with your minimum repayments and have no other option then just do it.

Once everything is up and running please keep an eye on your individual balances to ensure that your creditors have frozen interest etc, not all creditors will agree to this and by law they don't have to.

Write to your creditors and ask them to reconsider their decision, explaining your circumstances etc, if at first they refuse, don't give in,try and try again.

Ask them to refund any charges/interest that they have added to your account since you started your DMP, If you don't ask you don't get. Explain to them that this will reduce the time that it will take for you to repay your debt.

If they still refuse, go higher up in the company, send a letter or an email to the MD of the company in question, so far I have had a few decisions over turned this way.

I'm no expert on these matters and no doubt things may go t*** up at some point in the future, but this is what I have learnt over the past couple of months.

Keep on top of everything don't simply just let CCCS take control of everything, work with them and get the best results for you.

Lecture over ;)

Fab advice Scouselad, which I'm going to copy and paste to my lists of dos and don'ts, many, many thanks - it isn't a lecture at all!

PS. We're Mackems from Sunderland, but I'll let you off!;)

scouselad1974

oops sorry about that