Does it get easier?

Broken_hearted

It gets easier once you acept your situation and come to terms with it. Once you feel you have control again and know exactly what rights you have. As time goes by your debts reduce and the light at the end of tunnel goes from being a dim flicker to a beautiful sunrise. Hugs

dj0586

Ive not got to the stage where i need to go to a debt management company but i realised about 6 months ago i was going further into debt and was about 8g in debt. I was living quite lavishly with meals out and cinema and going out with mates so it was so hard when i cut back and started paying my debts back.

Now i have about 4k left to pay will be debt free by this time next year (probably earlier) and quite enjoy the MSE way of life so i wont go back, this time next year i will be saving for a mortgage instead of paying debts. Believe me LIFE GETS SOOOO MUCH EASIER.

Stick in there and trust me, the people on these boards are the best you'll ever meet.

spud30

Thanks Keith.

Do CCCS deal with the creditors direct, or will I need to send the letters to them?

ms_london

Hiya!! It definately gets easier - the first step is always the hardest, but soon you'll find that you are a MSE bore & are obsessed with saving money (like most of us now on here!!).

You should be proud that you have taken the first step. I am sure some creditors will be a pain in the bum, but dont take it personally - and if you have the CAB on your side they're more inclined to sit up & listen!!

Despite now being out of debt I am still hooked with saving money where I can, sometimes I hate spending money full stop & I am so pleased that I got into debt (in a way) as I have learnt so much and am generally more clued up on money & also me as a person.

Just think, its probably taken you years to run up the debt, so you cant expect new habits to form overnight & it will take a while to learn how to spend within your means. I was running up debt from about 18 to 22, so thats 4 years of overpspending each month - so not suprisingly it takes a while to get used to budgeting & only spending what you have!!

Now I am not sure how I ever managed without savings & dont know how I managed to spend every single penny of my wages (and more) each month!!

Let us know how you get on with your creditors & welcome to MSE.com!!

xx

$17mma

spud30 wrote:

Thanks Keith.

Do CCCS deal with the creditors direct, or will I need to send the letters to them?

From what I understand they deal with them direct on your behalf, and arrange meetings to agree payment amount and also help you complete and income expenditure form to see what you can afford.

Should you wish to send your own letters this is site is quite helpful. But CCCS will see you right...

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/debt_advice.php#6

keith_lard

spud30 wrote:

Thanks Keith.

Do CCCS deal with the creditors direct, or will I need to send the letters to them?

You will send all of them letters that CCCS supply basicly you hand over Admin of all you accounts to cccs.

Thats it!

You pay only what you can afford to CCCS, they do the rest, also you can login and see everything CCCS do for you, your budget your balance (I this month passed the £2000 mark!!:j :j :j )

You just get back the feeling you are back in controll but CCCS are doing the hard work for you!

hope this helps you.

k.

mattp_3

spud30 wrote:

I am probably about two weeks behind lightatendoftunnel and looking to set up a DMP very soon.

We have so far managed our debts ok, but I have just lost my job and was the main income in the family. Mr Spud works full time but only earns enough to cover the essential bills . I am hoping tax credits will increase enough to cover food and clothing etc. We have two children.

Who do you all recommend to help with a DMP?

CAB, CCCS, Payplan?

I'd say CAB if you would rather see someone in person, but Payplan if you don't mind dealing over the internet/phone - the reason being that Payplan seem to have a shorter waiting list (they can get someone to take your details in a few days, whereas CCCS can sometimes take a couple of weeks) and Payplan now have online payment tracking which is a big help for thise who want to keep an eye on their finances (i think its safe to assume we are all here for that reason lol)

In_Search_Of_Me

Hugaroos! Yes it does get easier - most days! Some days it all just seems a bit much, exhausting and overwhelming! Having said that getting out of debt (even though its gonna take years!) is one of the best things I have done. I am in control of my life for the first time in ages; yes I've had to change the way I live my life but have redisocovered the joys of cooking; now know the meaning of the word "treat" & actually value them when I have them and feel happier than I have in ages. You are at the worst stage right now, the sorting bit, but it will get better! You'll also get lots of support & make new friends who KNOW what you're going through and this is a true gift! Just take it a day at a time & feel free to ask questions, have a rant etc...big hugs & welcome!

lightatendoftunnel?

spud30 wrote:

I am probably about two weeks behind lightatendoftunnel and looking to set up a DMP very soon.

We have so far managed our debts ok, but I have just lost my job and was the main income in the family. Mr Spud works full time but only earns enough to cover the essential bills . I am hoping tax credits will increase enough to cover food and clothing etc. We have two children.

Who do you all recommend to help with a DMP?

CAB, CCCS, Payplan?

I went to CAB and they sat with me for nearly two hours, i never felt embarressed or uncomfortable. They carried out all the admin work and i just sent letters off when i was happy. I cant really comment on the others as i never went to them.
CAB helped me do a budget plan which i can follow, my weak areas are petrol and food. I work in community so its hard to keep my travel down.

My problem is i put the tv on to try and forget for an hour and every advert is loans, cards and its back on my mind again!!!!

milliejon

It definately does get easier. I've been doing my own DMP with the help of the National Debtline (another charity) for about 20 months now.

Things are so much better than they were a year ago, and loads better than they were 20 months ago.

I occassionally have the odd letter or phone call, but this forum puts everything into perspective.

I've only been using the forum since April, so I'm a relative newbie. Everyone is really friendly and helpful (not many places you can say that about - virtual or real!).