Without a paddle... support for anyone starting a DMP in 2010 (part2)

pure_dead_dopey

Morning All

Mikon, chin up, try to remember its only money, won't do any harm to have a wee campaign with the children to try to make them understand that the latest thing isn't the be all and end all, difficult I know but it can be done gradually. I am about celebrate my first whole year of no credit and feel so much better. Everything I've bought this Christmas has been paid for in cash. The big change is where I've bought. I've been to all the £1 shops for stocking fillers, DH and I bought ourselves a joint gift, no more extravagant surprises, I cut down the list generally and shopped wisely, rummaging reduced rails and general looking more carefully. I saved in a sealed pot for Christmas food (opening tomorrow so don't know how much yet) and also saved my vouchers from doing surveys towards this, so a tidy wee sum! I would also say that I have not bought any "new" clothes this year, everything has come off Ebay, and I've had some fab bargains, I have to be ultra smart for work, and I don't think anyone has noticed a difference, same labels just a smidgen of the price. All of this takes time and that's where I find it difficult in the world we live in, shopping around takes time, Ebaying takes time etc etc etc. But its probably worth it on the whole.
The UE is going well and we already have some definite admissions of UE from creditors, still going through the process with the rest, bottom line is it is working! I still make us live on the CCCS budget, and I think its getting easier although petrol costs have risen over £150 since this time last year, you all might want to look at your budgets and make sure this is being taken into account by CCCS/Payplan.
After this horrendous weather, its probably going to affect the electric/gas costs, remember to look at this as well.
So everybody should look at how far we've come, I know I was a gibbering wreck this time last year, still spending to keep up appearances, still spending money I didn't have and worrying about everything, cos everything cost money! Soooo much better this year!
I will try and pop in but busy busy busy, have a Merry and peaceful Christmas all, and pat yourself on the back, however you are dealing, you are dealing and that's got to be a step forward!
Dopeyxxxx

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Morning All

Mikon - Very sorry to hear about your loss. Sending a huge hug over.

Dopey -Great post as ever. Thanks for the tip on the petrol. Good luck with the UE.

My DMP was reduced by 4% at my review. One creditor got a reduced amount of £7 (still for £170) computer madness kicked off and interest that had finally stopped got reapplied at £172 last month. I complained bitterly and this has now been refunded. Yay. I would just have accepted it last year. I have payday on Friday will be making my 8th payment into the CCCS. As you say when I think back to this time last year and to what has been achieved it's a fab feeling, especially when you consider the alternative. The budget is still tough and gets me down at time but when that happens I keep thinking about life post DMP and it keeps me going as well as all you lovely people. I have 12 creditors. 7 have come onboard and stopped interest, 3 are charging reduced interest and 2 are still stupid amounts but thankfully combined these are circa £4k so could be a lot worse. First job of New Year is to hound these 2 to ask them to reconsider or pass me onto debt management companies.

Hope you are all keeping in there. Thank you for keeping me going. I could weep thinking about how peoples kindness, support, advice, information and humour has given me the strength to tackle this situation.

HHx

mikon

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all the kind words.

eyeopener2

Hi

Just got confirmation that my Quick Quid loan is finally paid off. It was a year ago I first took the plunge into PayDayLoans and that initial £400 cost me £1292 to pay it back.

And that was just one of them!

I had four going, with different companies, at one point, 3 now paid off just one left which should be done n dusted in March.

Don't do it kids.

eyeopener2

OH.

And I can have another £650 if I want.

(((((((shakes head in disbelief))))))))

mikon

Eyeopener 2

Well done it is inspirational to hear the good news. I have paid over £4,200 off my debt in the past 7 months since starting my DMP. Unfortunately I have someway to go but at least it is coming down and not increasing and causing me sleepless nights as it was this time last year.

I read in a previous post about the GRABBIT FORUM just been on it and bought something for my daughter for Christmas reduced from £50 down to £15 I bought it from comet so went through the cashback site TopCashBack and got 3% cash back only pennies I know but by using both sites i made further savings. GRABBIT is a great forum, just thought I would spread the word.

I just wonder how many people in the UK are on DMPs?

I saw a job advert for the AA the other day and is said that having CCJs or being on a DMP will no jepardise your application. More and more people must be embarking on DMPs I think.

I also think 2011 will see more going down the DMP route especially with the Government cuts, VAT increase and the hints that mortgage rates are set to rise in the the Spring of 2011 and be at 3.25% by mid 2012. So bear that in mind when DMP reviews are taking place.

Anyway thats the future now for the present Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Hopelessly_Hopeful

What's grabbit folks?

HHx

mikon

Hi HH

Here is the link to the forum. ITs a forum where people post the latest offers. I just discovered it tonight and its very interesting trawling through the offers some as low as a penny. Have a read of the offers they are great.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=36&order=desc&page=3


Good Luck and Merry Christmas

Mephista

Hi all

Glad to see you are all still there and trucking onwards. Mikon so sorry to hear of your loss - I hope it eases with the passage of time.

As for shopping I'm finally done. Was supposed to be in London last weekend but my flights were cancelled because of the weather and I lost money on loads of trips, theatre tickets and the hotel. It was crushing because some of the trips were gifts bought for my parents and my hubbie. I have to go back to the drawing board now and I had to get them a new set of gifts at extra cost. However, I managed it through trying to be sensible .... and using some cash given to me for Christas - needs must.

Keep the faith everyone. Forget about the material side of Christmas and instead try to go back to basics and give people gifts they truly want in their hears.

Merry Chirstmas and a Happy New year.

Lots of love

Mephita

mikon

tedsd wrote: »

Hi HH, hope you're ok

Mikon has given you the link but you can also scroll down on the Forum Jump on the left. You'll also find a Freebies and low cost section, we've had quite a few free perfume samples off there. You can also google HotdealsUk which update the latest offers evey minute. Both have been a godsend this year - I've managed to buy some expensive presents at amazing prices but you do need to be quick.!

Ted

Ted was not aware of the other sites so will investigate. New Years Resolution is to utilise these sites more often in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and so on..

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND A BIG PAT ON THE BACK TO ALL THAT HAVE DONE CHRISTMAS 2010 WITHOUT CREDIT.