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

eyeopener2

Do we need a New thread for our New Year 2011?

Morning everybody and a Happy New year.

chocolates

londonfraggle wrote: »

Hi there - Merry Christmas!!

I read your message and it really tugged as you sound as if you're in exactly the same position as I am.

I have been on my DMP for over a year and was feeling pretty smug about having done so well. But over the last couple of months I've had loads of extra expenses (most of them a long story to do with my work expenses and the way I'm paid back). To cut a long story short I had an entirely miserable Xmas stressing about how to make my January DMP payment (and some of my priority bills inc. council tax etc.). I bit the bullet and called CCCS who were brilliant. Whilst they didn't condone my lack of budgeting and planning they did remind me that the important thing was to keep the DMP going. We agreed therefore for me to pay a reduced payment in Jan with it going back to normal in Feb.

Of course I don't know how my preditors will react to the reduced payment (am scared witless at the idea of calls and letters again - especially after having worked so hard to stop them and pay as much as I could). But...CCCS were fine with it. Reduced my Jan payment by necessary amount, advised me to write to me preditors to let them know and...well that's it.

So I think you should definitely phone them. My advice is to perhaps explain why you have over spent (mine was to do with work and quite rubbish - but necessary - house issues) and I'm sure they'll be fine. I don't know how they would take a "I just overspent cos it was Xmas" but I'm sure you have your reasons, and I'm sure they will listen. Bottom line is the creditors want something rather than nothing and you are showing a huge effort and willing by being on a DMP than not doing anything at all.

I suspect they'll be sympathetic and just reduce your jan payment. Please don't worry.

Take care and Happy New Year!
Fraggle x

Ps if your bills and DMP are due out of the 1st I would suggest phoning CCCS ASAP to discuss cancelling your payment on the 1st - you need enough money in there to pay your bills first and CCCS will understand that if you tell them.

Thankyou so much for your reply and happy new year to you! I rang them and they have given me until the 14th to make the payment which i can do as am expecting cashback,child benefit etc.......
However its new year now and im going to be so much better than i was last year!! Not more wasting money and no more overspending!!!

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Happy New Year everyone

Chocolates and Fraggle I hope you get sorted out.

Not sure on the new thread thing but we have notched up 205 pages so I guess one of the board guides will be along soon to suggest or set one up.

Hope everyone doing well

HHx

GibbsRule_No3

If I've worked it out right, it looks like we have had over 74,000 views on our little thread. If we do move to a new home can we have some warning? I just have this thread bookmarked at home, but if it is not posted on, I take ages to find it at work, where I don't bookmark it for obvious reasons. I do read some other threads but guess I feel safe and cosy on this one, since we seemed to join at the same time and pick up a few newbies as we've gone through the year from last February. Just transferred my Water Rate free month to my savings account, so hope it can stay there. Every little helps in the emergency fund.

If it needs changing maybe title should be "Without a Paddle... Support for those continuing a DMP in 2011" So we can find it?

Ellieseleven

Just dropped by to say Happy New Year Everyone and thanks for all your help and advice in 2010. I'm looking forward to debtbusting with you all in 2011:T

Ellie xx

Mephista

Morning everyone and Happy New Year to you all. Don't worry about the overspend - we're all human. I got my hubbie's second present (you all remember my disastrous non-trip to London!!) in Debenhams on my gold card with them cause that left me enough money to buy everyone else's with cash. I knew what I was doing and it was a calculated risk but instead of any spare money going on me over the next couple of months, it will be going to pay my Debenhams bill off.

Like I say we're all human and I'm still proud of the fact that I spent much less this Christmas than I normally would and if that was the only excess I'm carrying over into this New Year then I'm okay with that.

It will all work out. Don't forget that we're looking for a new lease of life and I truly believe 2011 is it!!!

eyeopener2

Nice one Mephista. Another DMPer showing how much they have changed in a short space of time.

hers to 2011 and to being a little more debt free each month.

By the way guys, I have finally sent my complaint letter to Barclaycard about the reinstatement of interest so I will let you know how it pans out. Copy to the Chief Exec as well (scary that bit, lets see if he replies.)

E2

Mephista

Cheers Eyeopener. I hope the Barclaycard letter does the trick. Keep us posted.

United we stand - divided we fall!!:D

2011 is going to be a good one for us all. I just know it in my bones.

GibbsRule_No3

eyeopener2 wrote: »

By the way guys, I have finally sent my complaint letter to Barclaycard about the reinstatement of interest so I will let you know how it pans out. Copy to the Chief Exec as well (scary that bit, lets see if he replies.)

E2

Will be interested in the response. You will inspire me to write if you are successful, since I could be £450 better off with them sofar since starting in April, if they had stopped interest. The other cards have stopped it this year. Seems a bit unfair if our debtors are meant to be treated equally that one is allowed to still add interest while the others stop.

eyeopener2

Will let you know. As its a complaint it has to be treated seriously even if they decide i'm wrong.

I need to do this as I really do fear that others may follow in the very near future and that will put my DFD back considerably.