DMP - Budget item queried by creditor, CCCS want to shut down plan!?

MyLastFiver

maureenjscott wrote: »

this is something i have been doing for several years since joining the Church and has been on the DMP for the entire duration, it has never been questioned up till now. The last change was in October (a reduction) and they have taken almost 5months to question it (18months if you take the whole dmp into account) - this is what i take issue with!

All that's happened is your account has turned up in a computerised queue for review by a human being. Probably a spotty 18 year-old trying to hit his targets for the month. That person was me, once upon a time.

Yes it's inconsistent, yes it's ad-hoc and unhelpful, but that's banks for you. I doubt you'd get anywhere complaining to them that the timing is unfair (although it is!). They'd just give you the line about their "procedures".

When Jesus turned over the money lender's tables in the temple, he was showing them what he thought of their "procedures". Pay your Tithe. Sometimes principles are worth more than expediency.

However if you were able to restructure your Tithe payments (pay less now, pay more later) then you could have the best of both worlds.

Jacobs_Crackers

Hi Maureen,
I can't really offer any advice other than what you have probably already thought of or that has already been suggested to you.
However, although I am not a member of the Church of LDS, I do consider myself to a be a Christian with a strong faith. I therefore hope that it will be of comfort to you to let you know that I will say a prayer for you & hope that you can come to a conclusion that suits everyone.
Take care.
JC.
x

MrsTinks

Personally I'm pagan so I shan't start the debate on churches or religion on this thread but (and sorry if it's been suggested) how about you not only speak to your minister or whatever you have but also suggest that you keep a track of what you earn until you are out of the DMP and then in your head at least treat a tithing of this as another "debt"? "Repaying" the money you didn't contribute whilst you were financially struggling? If it makes you feel better then what about paying a little more than you would have done...

Whilst I am sure things are sent to test us no matter what out faith then how we learn and grow from them and how we manage them is surely part of the bigger picture? You can keep track in your mind of what you feel you owe your God and repay it - surely he'd understand that you weren't "neglecting" to pay him or his representatives but that you WILL pay your tithe in time... He's got billions of years... what's a few years grace in return for your eternal faith?

MrsTinks

maureenjscott wrote: »

Will contact CCCS again today as i cannot find guidance on this from their site. I was of the impression that if you 'came into money' you had to offer to all creditors and couldn't pay one off over another. I am entitled to a maternity grant which would more than cover this one creditor so would not need to 'borrow' from the Church so that's not an issue.
thanks
maureen

Can I just disagree with THIS point if no others?

Your maternity grant is called maternity grant for a reason...
You say you plan on breastfeeding (I haven't read enough but you may even have done so successfully before etc) but please remember that a lot of things can happen (of course I hope they don't!) but what if for any reason the baby can't BF? (it can be all sorts of minor reasons btw - something as simple as tongue tied...) then you need to suddenly stco up on bottles and formula... you may wish to express - so you need the equipment for that... And what if the poor wee bairn has reflux or another problem?

Please please please make sure you keep the grants and benefits you get for the baby FOR the baby and not to deal with money you spent on being young/naive/greedy (just quoting)... Yes your church may help you but you cannot ever risk that when it comes to your childs wellbeing... sorry

immoral_angeluk

MrsTine wrote: »

Personally I'm pagan...

Ditto... nice to meet a fellow heathen :rotfl:

immoral_angeluk

MrsTine wrote: »

Can I just disagree with THIS point if no others?

Your maternity grant is called maternity grant for a reason...
You say you plan on breastfeeding (I haven't read enough but you may even have done so successfully before etc) but please remember that a lot of things can happen (of course I hope they don't!) but what if for any reason the baby can't BF? (it can be all sorts of minor reasons btw - something as simple as tongue tied...) then you need to suddenly stco up on bottles and formula... you may wish to express - so you need the equipment for that... And what if the poor wee bairn has reflux or another problem?

Please please please make sure you keep the grants and benefits you get for the baby FOR the baby and not to deal with money you spent on being young/naive/greedy (just quoting)... Yes your church may help you but you cannot ever risk that when it comes to your childs wellbeing... sorry

Have to say I completely agree with you.

OrkneyStar

MrsTine wrote: »

Can I just disagree with THIS point if no others?

Your maternity grant is called maternity grant for a reason...
You say you plan on breastfeeding (I haven't read enough but you may even have done so successfully before etc) but please remember that a lot of things can happen (of course I hope they don't!) but what if for any reason the baby can't BF? (it can be all sorts of minor reasons btw - something as simple as tongue tied...) then you need to suddenly stco up on bottles and formula... you may wish to express - so you need the equipment for that... And what if the poor wee bairn has reflux or another problem?

Please please please make sure you keep the grants and benefits you get for the baby FOR the baby and not to deal with money you spent on being young/naive/greedy (just quoting)... Yes your church may help you but you cannot ever risk that when it comes to your childs wellbeing... sorry

I meant to say this earlier (and then forgot). When a baby comes along you will need to increase your budget in that area (even if you don't need all it all afterall)- the thing is babies are NOT predictable! Also, if you do BF you will need to increase your calorie intake and fluids so your own food bill may increase slightly. And you may want to express too, as part of BF'ing, as some mothers do these together (I BF for 13 months but in the first wee while expressed extra milk, so DH did the ocassional feed, and also froze it for cooking his food- bubs not DH!). Hopefully you will be lucky enough to be given clothes etc but also bear in mind you will likely have to buy some things that you perhaps did not think of. What nappies are you using ? Can I recommend real nappies or terries if you can get hold of some ?
All the best.

Edinburghlass_2

Tixy wrote: »

How much did CCCS want you to reduce it by? I'd agree that giving your time/expertise may be a way forward rather than all in cash. We have had other people on here with a similar query relating to tithing. Do speak to your minister about the situation. Maybe in the short term you could pay 5% of your income & then give in other ways.

I have also seen people who tithe suggest that it should be 10% or X% of your disposable income not you actual income. Whilst I know people can interpret these items differently I do not think your minister would want you to be put in this position because of the tithing alone.

Finally you could consider a call to Christians against poverty - just to ask their advice - I wonder if they would be more receptive to do a DMP which includes tithing in the budget?

The link for Christians against poverty, also recommended by Martin as especially useful for those struggling emotionally which you are.

http://www.capuk.org/home/index.php

Take care.