DMP Mutual Support Thread - Part 7

helena83

Well I haven't heard anything from anyone so far. I'm a bit disappointed to be honest, I was all fired up and ready for them to ring and start hassling me, especially Virgin who I have paid £30 to instead of the min payment of nearly £200. But I've got my filing all sorted out (borrowed a hole punch from work and found an old file to keep stuff in! Might still get some colourful file dividers though just to keep it organised!!)

Just wondering how CCCS would react if I decided to take on additional bills. Not more credit but we could really do with some sickness cover because if OH is off work he'd get nothing which would kill us completely as we wouldn't even be able to keep up on essential bills let alone DMP payments.

cupc4kes

Oh well feel down today, our shower is broken just suddenly conked and we just cant afford to fix it. Luckily my step dad is an electrician so hoping he maybe able to help and may have to ask to lend some money . We do have a bath so Im not gonna be stinky so theres an upside,lol.

Decided to contact my work last night as well to see whether they can help but unfortunatly they cant. They said that in Jan our income would drop (which we know) so to either ring back then but then she gave me the CCCS contact number. Ive already got the pack from Payplan with the template letters in but I might contact CCCS as they have advised it. Got an appt on Sat to be added on to my OH's account. In a way I was hoping that work could of dealt with it but hey ho. I know it sounds silly but I havent a clue what Im doing and worried Im gonna totally !!!! it all up. Ill try and ring CCCS later I think but its difficult during the day as Ive got a toddler running about. 1 thing my work did say though was that everything would obviously go into arrears but it really wasnt a big deal which I thought a bit strange,lol. Sorry for the moan xxx

Hopelessly_Hopeful

helena83 wrote: »

Well I haven't heard anything from anyone so far. I'm a bit disappointed to be honest, I was all fired up and ready for them to ring and start hassling me, especially Virgin who I have paid £30 to instead of the min payment of nearly £200. But I've got my filing all sorted out (borrowed a hole punch from work and found an old file to keep stuff in! Might still get some colourful file dividers though just to keep it organised!!)



Just wondering how CCCS would react if I decided to take on additional bills. Not more credit but we could really do with some sickness cover because if OH is off work he'd get nothing which would kill us completely as we wouldn't even be able to keep up on essential bills let alone DMP payments.

Hi Helena

My advice is discuss with CCCS in advance before you take anything on. Some things are allowable but what is really important is that you are seen to be respecting the DMP agreement by agreeing things in advance if you are going to give yourself the best chance of keeping the creditors on board.

cupc4kes wrote: »

Oh well feel down today, our shower is broken just suddenly conked and we just cant afford to fix it. Luckily my step dad is an electrician so hoping he maybe able to help and may have to ask to lend some money . We do have a bath so Im not gonna be stinky so theres an upside,lol.

Decided to contact my work last night as well to see whether they can help but unfortunatly they cant. They said that in Jan our income would drop (which we know) so to either ring back then but then she gave me the CCCS contact number. Ive already got the pack from Payplan with the template letters in but I might contact CCCS as they have advised it. Got an appt on Sat to be added on to my OH's account. In a way I was hoping that work could of dealt with it but hey ho. I know it sounds silly but I havent a clue what Im doing and worried Im gonna totally !!!! it all up. Ill try and ring CCCS later I think but its difficult during the day as Ive got a toddler running about. 1 thing my work did say though was that everything would obviously go into arrears but it really wasnt a big deal which I thought a bit strange,lol. Sorry for the moan xxx

Moan away Cups. Am I right in thinking you work for a bank and that's the extra complication for you? No harm in looking at CCCS too so you can see which solution suits you best as there are some differences between the two in their approach. It may be worth listing each of your concerns so others can help with potential solutions. Glad your dad is helping the shower situation. Hugs for you x

HHx

cupc4kes

Yes Hopelessly Hopeful I work for a bank which like you say makes everything worse but when I rang them last night they were nice. I did ring CCCS today and got a telephone appt straight away. They are sending everything through to me and Ive explained about my maternity leave in Jan so the plan will be reviewed then. So Ive just gotta wait for that now and she said she'll get it sent out ASAP and if everything can be sent back to them quickly its a possibility the DMP can start in Nov. She also said there will be a notification letter in the pack to send to Lloyds and with that send a gesture of goodwill payment to advise them of whats happening if that makes sense,lol. Then all we'll have to do is send everything back to CCCS to deal with. Im worried now that Ive totally misjudged my budget and we'll start the plan and we still wont be able to afford to live my mind just seems in a total spin and I think its gonna be like this until everything is up and running or I lose my marbles. How does everyone else cope and do you feel better off on a plan if that makes sense?

ianmak

cupc4kes wrote: »

Yes Hopelessly Hopeful I work for a bank which like you say makes everything worse but when I rang them last night they were nice. I did ring CCCS today and got a telephone appt straight away. They are sending everything through to me and Ive explained about my maternity leave in Jan so the plan will be reviewed then. So Ive just gotta wait for that now and she said she'll get it sent out ASAP and if everything can be sent back to them quickly its a possibility the DMP can start in Nov. She also said there will be a notification letter in the pack to send to Lloyds and with that send a gesture of goodwill payment to advise them of whats happening if that makes sense,lol. Then all we'll have to do is send everything back to CCCS to deal with. Im worried now that Ive totally misjudged my budget and we'll start the plan and we still wont be able to afford to live my mind just seems in a total spin and I think its gonna be like this until everything is up and running or I lose my marbles. How does everyone else cope and do you feel better off on a plan if that makes sense?

Remember to send a token payment every month to each creditor before your first payment for the DMP goes out. £1 per creditor will suffice (Same as a goodwill payment). That way it doesn't look like you've ignored the payment, and are paying something, however little. This will also give you the chance to build up the emergency fund.

To be honest, when I started out on this, I didn't have any worries. I just sent token payments to each creditor, got a new bank account setup, changed wages and DDs over (minus creditcard payments of course), and awaited the phonecalls!

powerchimp

Hi All

Haven't been about for a bit, mainly because my mum has been in hospital for the last 4 weeks (finally back home today) so with all the to-ing & fro-ing from hospital meant no time for the internet which is probably a good thing.;)

2 months into the DMP and things are settling down, trying to adjust to living on the new budget.

Hope things are going good for everyone here, I'll be popping in more often

PC

Sun-Dance

I've got 20,000 in 4 cards, M & S, Capital One, Citibank and Mint (RSB) Biggest one is in M & S at 8,500 (can't find pound sign!). Can't believe, I've no defaults yet - but not paid any debts back, just an enormous wage to the fat cats in 500 per month interest!) Anyway, been to Payplan who have told me 640 per month and have hounded me since, then went to CCCS who told me 452 (better!) and then checked all this with CAB. Who do I go with? I've only got 2 months of one 5 year loan to pay and thought best to just pay this one separately (one less creditor to hassle me and it's a bank!) and try and set deals up with the help of CAB on the other 4. Is this right or wrong?

Have followed what has been recommended and opened a fresh bank account and direct debits will be switched this week. Thought I should phone the 3 cards (M & S have had their payment this month) and tell them that I'll pay them something this week although they are all unaware this is going to happen here at moment.

I've read through all the threads and am really scared, but also more reassured as I get the feeling that this site is going to be my salvation! (Always comforting to see that there are many who have beaten this horrendous situation!). I have been really sick with worry over the past 3 days since I think I have decided that the DPM route is the right one - but still wonder if there are other less severe options???? I mainly worry about the calls and letters - especially as I have 2 small children who often pick up the phone on its second ring - I'll be mortified that they found out! I'm also not very good if people harrass me. Sorry to sound like I'm burbling on, unknown territory and all that.

cupc4kes

Hi,

When is the best time to cancel the DD to my loan? Ill have another payment due on the 21st so am I best cancelling it after all my other DD's have been switched as can they legally stop the transfer of my DD's? If they do that then Im truely bug***ed. With 1 of the CCs theres a very small balance roughly £100 so Im thinking maybe to pay it off then thats 1 less to pay but then I suppose that defeats the object cos with that balance I think the min payment is only about £5 so with my DMP would that make much of a difference? Cos I imagine they will be getting their full amount anyway? Im dreading the phonecalls to be honest I have a toddler who like Sun-Dance answers the telephone and I also have family who look after her 1 day a week while Im at work so if they answered I wouldnt know what to say as we dont want to tell anyone. I think cos Im pregnant everything is a worry at the min and also working for the bank doesnt help but Ive made my bed. Sorry for all the questions if I become annoying please say I wont be offended. xxx

Sun-Dance I contacted Payplan 1st of all and I felt quite let down by them I didnt get anything sorted I just had the pack sent out to me, I did post about a couple of pages ago explaining what happened with them. After speaking to my bank they advised CCCS and I found them to be really good so we're going with them. I have to say the people on this thread are brill as you can see above I hope Im not getting on their nerves. To be honest Sun-Dance I dont think there is an easier option as Ive tried to think of everything possible so hey ho looks like Im in it for the long-haul but its your decision whether you go that way. Sorry for the very long post xxx

unsuremom

cupc4kes wrote: »

In a way I was hoping that work could of dealt with it but hey ho. I know it sounds silly but I havent a clue what Im doing and worried Im gonna totally !!!! it all up. Ill try and ring CCCS later I think but its difficult during the day as Ive got a toddler running about. 1 thing my work did say though was that everything would obviously go into arrears but it really wasnt a big deal which I thought a bit strange,lol. Sorry for the moan xxx

Hi, keep your chin up chick x I also work for a bank and when I spoke to our compliance team, they advised me that although I work for them, I am still treated as a customer and the defaults would be treated as any normal customer. Also as long as I make full disclosure of my financial situation, my job should be safe as I am showing that I am trying to manage my situation. I must admit I have been goin backwards and forwards for months about whether to do a dmp, not made any easier working for a bank, however having finally taken the plunge and signed up to a plan with payplan (so far they have been fab with me), I feel so much better and like a weight has been lifted. I know that it is going to be a hard few months to come, but to be honest they cant be any worse than the last few ( i hope ) Obviously I do not know your whole circumstances, but there are tons of people on here and you can always vent..... hope it all works out for you xxxxx Take care xx

unsuremom

cupc4kes wrote: »

Hi,

Im dreading the phonecalls to be honest I have a toddler who like Sun-Dance answers the telephone and I also have family who look after her 1 day a week while Im at work so if they answered I wouldnt know what to say as we dont want to tell anyone. I think cos Im pregnant everything is a worry at the min and also working for the bank doesnt help but Ive made my bed. Sorry for all the questions if I become annoying please say I wont be offended. xxx

Hi again, if you think the phonecalls could be an issue, why not try changing your phone number, if you contact your provider and say that you have been receiving nuisance calls they may be able to change this for you and that way you should stop getting the calls. I know it is a bit of a pain letting everyone else know your new number, but it may make things easier for you and also make the whole process less stressful xx