DMP Mutual Support Thread (Part 6)

Northstar68

Triggles wrote: »

We were quite stressed over the direct debits, but I found a number of them (such as our life insurance, DH's unemployment insurance, and such) told us to cancel the existing direct debits, and when it didn't go through, they would then simply automatically move to the new direct debit in the new account (which we gave them details of over the phone). They made a notation in our file (and I documented it at home as well) and sent out forms just for us to sign to verify the changes. Most of them didn't seem to worried about it. Even when we called about the council tax, they were pretty nonchalant - she said "don't worry, if it doesn't go through, we'll let you know - these things happen." It was a bit of a relief!

I'm now going through our file folder of "current household bills" and taking out everything from loans and credit cards and placing them in a separate folder. Less confusing that way. And tidying up our paperwork - haven't scanned in a few weeks since this whole DMP thing started. I'm also double checking balances due and such.

My new printer head showed up today, so I'll have to toy with that and get it put in correctly and hopefully I can start printing off letters tomorrow to go to creditors by Monday at the latest. We still have to go get postal orders.

I have to say that just doing these little things and making progress, even if slow, makes me feel ever so much better - like we finally have a teeny bit of control back in our lives.

Hi Triggles,

I was so relieved to read your post.........thank you thank you thank you!!!
Will post why in a sec, little one having tantrum at the mo!!!

LittleMissSkint

Northstar68 wrote: »

Hi LMS,

This is going to happen Im sure, they wont be happy about the new payment and will kick up a fuss for a few months and then hopefully it will all calm down and they will stop interest and charges etc. This is the one thing that really worried me, as it stands it is going to take 17 years and 9 months to pay ours off. If they stop the charges it would be less....I hope. Let's hope they play nicely. Have everything crossed for you.

Yeah it'd be naive to expect them all to just be happy with their payments straight away I guess. It's just I so want all the demanding letters etc to just stop, the thought of them getting worse horrifies me! But needs must I suppose, as long as there is hope they will eventually stop, I'll hang in there! not much choice is there! At least you guys are here and doing it all with me! I'd be lost without this over the last few days/weeks. :beer:

Northstar68

Oh gooooooood, I don't believe this now.
Just got in with moaning children in tow, having dragged them from bank to bank, atm to atm, post office to send off the 14 letters recorded delivery.......yes, you can imagine everyone cursing me in the queue, I kept on apologising and I didnt go in at the busy time, in fact, I asked the people in my sub po what time was best, Ive known them 10 years at least. They suggested just before lunch so that is what I did.

ANYWAY.......Everything has been sent off!!! The signed DMP plus statements etc to CCCS plus all the creditors notification of DMP letters.
:T or is it?
Why did I feel sick when I left the PO? Is it that this is it now, no turning back, the calls/letters/demands that are going to come........is that why I felt sick? I was hoping to feel relieved, dont get me wrong, having worked all week to get the letters ready I am relieved and pleased with myself that I did it and they are now in the hands of Royal Mail.

Maybe it was because while we were out my husband phoned to announce that he wasnt getting paid on time.....his way of saying, he was coming with no money tomorrow night.

So Bailey59, guess what? I now also have direct debits that are going to fail They are all due to come out on the 1st so I think it means Monday.
It's not too late to stop them I hope.

I have one of those pressure headaches now, you know the sort, right above the eyes on the forehead. We've got friends coming for dinner at 6pm......basic spaghetti meal for under a fiver Im doing, sod it.

Anyway............I need to start cancelling the direct debits, easy to do online and then before the little party tomorrow at 2pm start ringing around just to tell them and hopefully they will tell me not to worry and pay next week :eek:
So sorry if this isnt making sense, I had to post as soon as we got in to get it off my chest really. Thank you for listening as always and being there. Bailey59, can you believe the similarities! As soon as the direct debit thing dawned on me I thought of you!
1 step forward 2 steps back.
Tomorrow will be a better day!

LittleMissSkint

Northstar68 wrote: »

Oh gooooooood, I don't believe this now.
Just got in with moaning children in tow, having dragged them from bank to bank, atm to atm, post office to send off the 14 letters recorded delivery.......yes, you can imagine everyone cursing me in the queue, I kept on apologising and I didnt go in at the busy time, in fact, I asked the people in my sub po what time was best, Ive known them 10 years at least. They suggested just before lunch so that is what I did.

ANYWAY.......Everything has been sent off!!! The signed DMP plus statements etc to CCCS plus all the creditors notification of DMP letters.
:T or is it?
Why did I feel sick when I left the PO? Is it that this is it now, no turning back, the calls/letters/demands that are going to come........is that why I felt sick? I was hoping to feel relieved, dont get me wrong, having worked all week to get the letters ready I am relieved and pleased with myself that I did it and they are now in the hands of Royal Mail.

Maybe it was because while we were out my husband phoned to announce that he wasnt getting paid on time.....his way of saying, he was coming with no money tomorrow night.

So Bailey59, guess what? I now also have direct debits that are going to fail They are all due to come out on the 1st so I think it means Monday.
It's not too late to stop them I hope.

I have one of those pressure headaches now, you know the sort, right above the eyes on the forehead. We've got friends coming for dinner at 6pm......basic spaghetti meal for under a fiver Im doing, sod it.

Anyway............I need to start cancelling the direct debits, easy to do online and then before the little party tomorrow at 2pm start ringing around just to tell them and hopefully they will tell me not to worry and pay next week :eek:
So sorry if this isnt making sense, I had to post as soon as we got in to get it off my chest really. Thank you for listening as always and being there. Bailey59, can you believe the similarities! As soon as the direct debit thing dawned on me I thought of you!
1 step forward 2 steps back.
Tomorrow will be a better day!

Good for you getting them all sent off - I felt so much better when mine were gone. I'm nervous now I know crediotrs have received their offers though!

It looks like we've all had our share of ups and downs already! You should have time to cancel your DDs, most banks say overnight is plenty time - but some banks cancel them instantly. This is my 1st month for ages without bounced DDs, because I cancelled them all for the DMP starting. Our Normal DDs, mortgage etc are not due out until the 17th, but i should have the new account opened and credited by then - until then there's nothing I can do.

Gpuk

Good to see lots of things falling in to place for people, the start is definately the worst, I spent a good 4 hours getting all my dd changed and I went for payment cards where I could so I could have more control over when I paid and how much!

I have a little question - I called Barclays (my bank account on my DMP) to cancel my overdraft protection, and they said they couldn't do it on the phone and I would have to write them a letter?! So I did, but today they have sent it back to me as I didn't sign it and they said they can't do it without a sigature. Not sure what to do as I know lots of people say on here not to sign stuff but I need them to cancel this charge as Payplan told me I have to. Just wondering what to do????

LittleMissSkint

Gpuk wrote: »

Good to see lots of things falling in to place for people, the start is definately the worst, I spent a good 4 hours getting all my dd changed and I went for payment cards where I could so I could have more control over when I paid and how much!

I have a little question - I called Barclays (my bank account on my DMP) to cancel my overdraft protection, and they said they couldn't do it on the phone and I would have to write them a letter?! So I did, but today they have sent it back to me as I didn't sign it and they said they can't do it without a sigature. Not sure what to do as I know lots of people say on here not to sign stuff but I need them to cancel this charge as Payplan told me I have to. Just wondering what to do????

Some people say sign it in your usual signature, but put Xs over it. It will still be legible to the bank, but they won't be able to copy it without it being obvious they have done so.

bailey59

Oh No Northstar. Nightmare! I cant believe you are having to do this now. Oh you poor thing, just when you thought everyhting was sorted. I feel for you so much. All I can say is that from my experience over the last couple of days you will be just fine. Everyone I spoke to has been great with regards to cancelling dd's, setting new ones up then cancelling them again, all within 24 hours! You watch now, I will end up with double dd's being taken from all my accounts! Its the same as Triggles said, they will all be okay with you, you want to pay its just that your dd's are messed up a bit, just say you are having problems with your bank, make out its their fault. Thats the problem with having dd's taken out on the 1st of every month, I wish all of mine came out mid month as I get paid the last tuesday in the month by cheque so sometimes I only have a day to get the cheque cleared ready for the money coming out. Luckily hubby gets paid weekly.

It just makes your head spin though when something happens like this specially when you got all your letters out (well done by the way, cross that off your list with your big black marker pen :T) but I know you will get it sorted.

Just concentrate on having a lovely meal and maybe a glass or 2 of wine budget allowing. Try and relax. While we are all going through this we need to remember that we still have our family and friends and we cant let the debt and all our worries ruin or upset us too much. We all need time to chill and unwind for a bit. We would go crazy otherwise

Kudox

Gpuk wrote: »

Good to see lots of things falling in to place for people, the start is definately the worst, I spent a good 4 hours getting all my dd changed and I went for payment cards where I could so I could have more control over when I paid and how much!

I have a little question - I called Barclays (my bank account on my DMP) to cancel my overdraft protection, and they said they couldn't do it on the phone and I would have to write them a letter?! So I did, but today they have sent it back to me as I didn't sign it and they said they can't do it without a sigature. Not sure what to do as I know lots of people say on here not to sign stuff but I need them to cancel this charge as Payplan told me I have to. Just wondering what to do????

Hi Gpuk, If I'm wrong people will correct me but I don't think it's right that they can't action your request without your sig, I have been told this for various things and have basically ignored them and it didn't make any difference.
I think they just enjoy giving you the run around, in the hope you'll give up in the end.
If necessary just send another letter with an different signature to what you normally use.
To everyone at the begining of the ride, things will eventually settle down, creditors can either accept the reduced payments or not but,at the end of the day remember the DMP slogan;)
"They can't have what you haven't got".
With half mine I never got official confirmation if they accepted or not, and one or two refused outright but I just kept on paying the reduced payment anyway and that was that.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that some creditors will say all sorts but usually it's all just hot air.
Keep smiling everyone this is the worst bit, in a couple of months or so you'll be wondering why you didn't do it sooner:beer:

the_tooth_fairy

That's right they can't take what you haven't got!!!
Been reading these last few pages with interest. It's amazing how we all go through exactly the same worries at these early stages. Hang in! It only gets easier honestly!
My local bank are only getting £7 a month from Payplan for a £500 O/Draft.
Notice today they are adding £30 & £40 charges shortly. Grrr...
I've written to them going down the "financial hardship" route but am reluctant to do anything else so early on in the DMP.
Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks.

Twit_Head

Kudox wrote: »

"They can't have what you haven't got".
With half mine I never got official confirmation if they accepted or not, and one or two refused outright but I just kept on paying the reduced payment anyway and that was that.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that some creditors will say all sorts but usually it's all just hot air.
Keep smiling everyone this is the worst bit, in a couple of months or so you'll be wondering why you didn't do it sooner:beer:

Thanks Kudox for your wise words. As you say the first steps are the hardest but you learn to go with the flow and adapt and learn.