DMP Mutual Support Thread - Part 7

Loubylou2

the_tooth_fairy wrote: »

If anything, this is a (very long) game of patience! I remember at the start being desperate to hear anything from my creditors about accepting our DMP and stopping charges. Personally, I truly believe that all the lending institutions are being inundated with DMP's, and offers to make reduced payments. The whole country is one big, big mess at this time, so if that helps to put anyone's mind at rest (that at least you are trying to fairly pay back what you owe),then most of us on here are probably reasonably small fry compared to their bigger picture. I hope so, anyway! Welcome to all our Newbies.:)

ttfx

Never been good on patience but I totally understand what you're saying. I agree that this is a much bigger problem that ayone realises. I was talking to a work colleague the other day and suddenly it just came out and she said they were in real problems. I mentioned a DMP and she had already started to set one up with a fee paying company then got no further as she just thought the companies wouldn't accept the propsed amounts. Anyway I actually helped her:) as put her on to Payplan and CCCS and told her NOT to go with a fee paying company. She is going with an IVA now with Payplan I think and is starting to feel better. That was all thanks to this forum and all of you. :T
So anyway that was a random conversation I just wonder how many others are just clinging on at the moment.

Loubylou2

Twit_Head wrote: »

Wise words TF. I feel there is a whole load of trouble out there waiting to explode at the moment. Lots of honest, hardworking folk trying to patch up the gaps with credit but it's got to implode sooner or later. The problems and heartache will get much bigger.
Think you're so right about us being 'small fry.' Once the DMP is up and running I'm sure (in the majority of cases) you become just a dusty file in the basement somewhere.
As you say welcome to all new starters. Keep reading and learning!

'Twitty'

Never thought I'd be looking forward to being a dusty file in a basement but can't wait!!

Ellieseleven

Yes, I'm sure that there are many, many people all struggling to make ends meet. One thing that we have noticed is on daytime TV during the adverts it used to be all the loan companies trying to get people to take out a loan but now it's all the debt management companies:o

Ellie xx

cupc4kes

Its not just the adverts on TV though we're constantly being emailed and answerphone messages left saying we can wipe your debts etc we get more phonecalls with automated messages on more than we get Space Kitchens ringing,lol. x

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Hi all

Welcome to the newbies, and especially to the very new Sugar and Homer. See Cup and Louise you feel like old timers now as you've moved on a step! Read the back pages of the thread if you need inspiration. This place is amazing. Direct debits only take a couple of days to sort. Try think bigger picture. My whole plan, DD, new account, CCCS agreement was fully set up and ready to go within a week and I had 12 preditors, how good is that? To be fair I did feel well prepared with the information I had picked up on this board so that made it a whole lot smoother.

A few of bits of advice for impatient and worried newbies (we have all been there and still prone to wobbly moments from time to time)

1) It's only debt. Yes it's a worry but there's always a solution.
2) Don't worry alone, come share it. Try to be specific and people will offer support and potential solutions you may not have considered. People power and information sharing is sooooo beneficial
3) Arm yourself with information from back pages, it's amazing how quickly you start to make sense of it all.
4) Don't loose your sense of humour. It's free and the world's a much better place when we smile.
5) Clean the house, every cupboard and drawer. Can be useful to see what you've got, don't need, really need during the plan or wishlist for after. Look at the cleaning and food cupboards inparticular as this can be some of the large day to day expenditure and being creative can allow you to eat better than before and for less money.

Hope that helps.

Have a good weekend everyone HH x

Sun-Dance

Loved Hopelessly Hopefull's check list. I'm starting to calm down now thanks totally to this site! I've taken on board advice and changed bank account, moved all direct debits (stopped some, swopped to cheaper options on others such as gas etc), unplugged the phone, and got the letter from CAB office who are going to now write to the card companies now. I'm feeling a lot more in control. :beer:

Love the comment re Cupcakes on the fact that once the process has started you are no longer a newbie! So true - you do seem to quickly start to build up knowledge only last week I felt like I was drowning and did not know where to start!

One thing to ask. Some of you are talking 'emergency fund'. Do you keep this in your new bank account?

I too noticed that the content of advertising has changed recently. Also it used to be incredulous if you didn't have a credit card. Now when people are asking I just say 'I don't want credit - I have to pay it back, I find people are just nodding in acceptance.

I too can't wait to be a file collecting dust!:j

Sun-Dance

Can I just ask. I get the impression most on here are either with PayPlan or CCCS - no-one seems to be using the CAB. Is this because creditors will listen more to these guys than the CAB? CAB have offered to negotiate the repayments and to try and freeze interest but I have to pay them (I thought I'd set up a standing order for each). Is this right?

the_tooth_fairy

Loubylou2 wrote: »

Never thought I'd be looking forward to being a dusty file in a basement but can't wait!!

Hi again, Louby!
Speaking of being a dusty file, one of the most important bits of advice I've learned from this forum is to keep every scrap of paper that is sent to you from your creditors. As we have plainly seen, one Dept. doesn't know what the other is doing, so evidence is vital. 'Badmin' is a girls' worst enemy, it seems!
I keep a large (!) file of all statements,etc, received, but do you know, I could fill 2 the same size of what I have learned here. Seems like a pretty good investment to me.

ttfx

ianmak

Sun-Dance wrote: »

Can I just ask. I get the impression most on here are either with PayPlan or CCCS - no-one seems to be using the CAB. Is this because creditors will listen more to these guys than the CAB? CAB have offered to negotiate the repayments and to try and freeze interest but I have to pay them (I thought I'd set up a standing order for each). Is this right?

With PP and CCCS, you pay them, and they distribute the payments (and negotiate with the creditors). With CAB, I guess they give you the advice, but at the end of the day, I think you have to negotiate everything, and make the payments yourself.

the_tooth_fairy

Loubylou2 wrote: »

Never been good on patience but I totally understand what you're saying. I agree that this is a much bigger problem that ayone realises. I was talking to a work colleague the other day and suddenly it just came out and she said they were in real problems. I mentioned a DMP and she had already started to set one up with a fee paying company then got no further as she just thought the companies wouldn't accept the propsed amounts. Anyway I actually helped her:) as put her on to Payplan and CCCS and told her NOT to go with a fee paying company. She is going with an IVA now with Payplan I think and is starting to feel better. That was all thanks to this forum and all of you. :T
So anyway that was a random conversation I just wonder how many others are just clinging on at the moment.

Yes, my OH was talking to a work colleague about the 'multiple' Christmas parties going on and when OH mentioned that it is all very expensive at that time of the year, his colleague nearly broke down, and said he had been with CCCS for nearly four years, since he took reduced hours due to illness. Of course, OH took him into his confidence, explaining our difficulties, and said, "Hey, there's no shame in paying your debt off", but it just goes to show the time bombs some of our family, friends or colleagues could be sitting on, doesn't it? Who really knows the extent of all this? Certainly we managed to delude ourselves for the best part of ten years! But no more, friends.:)

ttfx