Stop being a Wuss!!!

Ellieseleven

I have been on this forum for a number of years and I know that I have a problem that I must sort out but I keep putting it off hoping that something will change.

My OH has his own business but due to some very bad luck (never work with family!) and the recession, for the last two years we have really struggled to make ends meet. This has lead to massive debts on credit cards which we can no longer pay.

My problem is actually approaching the CCCS and getting the ball rolling. I get to the point where I complete the debt remedy but then start to worry what all this is going to do to us, so then I carry on trying to pay everything which means we never get anywhere as we are only paying the minimums most of the time.

At the end of last year I did write to MBNA, Virgin & Barclaycard to explain that we are struggling but then the phone calls started (at work, at home and on the mobile) so once again I carried on robbing Peter to pay Paul to stop the phone calls.

Q. How long do the phone calls go on for?

Also, I feel some sort of loyalty to my bank because I have been with them so long??? I know that they don't give two hoots for me so I need to get out of this mindset.

I read the posts on here and they inspire me to do something but I'm so afraid of the outcome!! My health is now suffering and I am having panic attacks and feel so depressed.

My other worry is that we will never be able to get a mortgage again as we are in our 50's. Currently we have a 4 bedroom house but want to downsize when the market gets better (the house prices in our area have plummeted, so not a good time to sell).

Q. Would we ever be able to get another mortgage?

Q. My OH's income goes up and down constantly so how will this be viewed by the CCCS

Sorry for rambling but I could do with a swift kick up the backside or plenty of hugs and someone to tell me everything will be alright!:)

bottleofred

Hi and sorry to hear about your current troubles,

Like you, I robbed Peter to Pay Paul for a long time before actually admitting defeat and going to the cccs about our debts (32k). It was a long journey back and things are now on an even keel. Regarding the phone calls they start and go on fairly constantly. However, you can send the creditors a letter asking them to contact you only by letter. If you go onto a monthly repayment schedule it will certainly make getting a mortgage in the future more difficult but I would not have thought it impossible (although I'm no expert), although I would think the interest rates/deals you may be offered will definately be less attractive. I don't think the cccs would mind about the wages of your partner, however, the creditors will as they'll want as much money as possible. I'll attach the letter about the phone calls in case you need it and hope that someone with more knowledge than me can give you extra and correct information, particularly with regard to the mortgage situation.

Good luck & I've sent a hug!!

Dear Sirs,

Account No: XXXXXXXX

I am writing in relation to the quantity and frequency of telephone calls that I have received from your company, which I deem to be personally harassing. I have verbally requested that these stop, but I am still receiving calls and I now require all further correspondence from your company to be made in writing only. I am of the view that your continued harassment of me by telephone puts you in breach of Section 40 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970, and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

If you continue to harass me by telephone, you will also be in breach of the Communications Act (2003) s.127 and I will report you to OFCOM, Trading Standards and The Office of Fair Trading, meaning that you will be liable to a substantial fine. Be advised that any further telephone calls from your company may be recorded and used in evidence and I expect this harassment to cease immediately.

Yours faithfully

compulsivespender79

Sorry for rambling but I could do with a swift kick up the backside or plenty of hugs and someone to tell me everything will be alright!:)

Everything will be alright.

I've been on a DMP with CCCS for two and a half years, and it was the best thing I've ever done.

Q. How long do the phone calls go on for?

Not for long, as far as I remember. Once you've made your phonecall to CCCS you need to repeat this mantra to your creditors "I am on a debt management plan with CCCS, this is my reference number with them: ########, please direct your communication to them in future." It may be useful to put that in writing to all of your creditors too.

Q. Would we ever be able to get another mortgage?

Being on a DMP does affect your credit score, and defaults will stay on your record for 6 years, so yes it will affect mortgage applications, but not forever, provided that there's no bankruptcy etc.

Q. My OH's income goes up and down constantly so how will this be viewed by the CCCS

I can't answer this one, but CCCS are soooooooo helpful and understanding, and very experienced in dealing with debt, They'll have an answer for everything!

Stop being a wuss and pick up the phone!

compulsivespender79

I forgot the hug;

((((HUG))))

CSx

Tixy

Ellieseleven wrote: »

Q. How long do the phone calls go on for?
Once in a DMP most will settle down after a couple of months and then maybe ring once a year or so. But if you get lots of calls you can send a letter to tell them to stop. Plus once you are with CCCS all you need to do is quote a reference at the creditor and hang up.

Also, I feel some sort of loyalty to my bank because I have been with them so long??? I know that they don't give two hoots for me so I need to get out of this mindset.
Nooooo! - you have to get out that way of thinking, loyalty is a dirty word round here.;)

I read the posts on here and they inspire me to do something but I'm so afraid of the outcome!! My health is now suffering and I am having panic attacks and feel so depressed. This is bad, this alone is a good reason to contact them

My other worry is that we will never be able to get a mortgage again as we are in our 50's. Currently we have a 4 bedroom house but want to downsize when the market gets better (the house prices in our area have plummeted, so not a good time to sell).

Q. Would we ever be able to get another mortgage?
Yes, but it will be harder for the next few years. On a DMP you will get defaults which will stay on your file for 6years and will make it harder to get a mortgage/to get the best rates. But it is not impossible, people do remortgage whilst on a DMP.


Q. My OH's income goes up and down constantly so how will this be viewed by the CCCS
Is he self-employed? They have a team who deal with people who are self-employed. Or if its just dependant on the hours he does they will usually base your DMP on the lowest amount and allow you to overpay if he gets extra (or you can save it up for emergencies or ultimately full & final offers).

Sorry for rambling but I could do with a swift kick up the backside or plenty of hugs and someone to tell me everything will be alright!:)

It will be alright. CCCS will advise you on the different options and which may be suitable for you, and explain the implications of whichever you choose.
You can do it. Taking the plunge is the hardest step, after that things really do get easier.:)

When did you last do a statement of affairs? Is useful to have one to hand for when you speak to CCCS (even if you have done the debt remedy tool.)

Good luck. Positive vibes.

Ellieseleven

Thank you all!! Just what I need, I feel a bit more confident that I can go through with this (will probably wonder why I didn't do it ages ago once I do!)

Thanks again, it really does make a difference :Txx

barbiedoll

I agree with everything that the others have said. I'm with CCCS and they have been really helpful so far, as have all the people on here. There are lots of templates for letters to send to creditors, especially when you are being hassled at the start. The phone calls do die down after a while but I always tell everyone who is going for a DMP, get an answerphone, it will be a lifesaver! (They are really cheap at Argos etc, it's well worth £20 or so)

CCCS will make sure that you have enough money in your budget to be able to live, despite your OH's variable income. We recently had a review of our budget and after I confessed to trying to save up for a new boiler as ours is completely past it, they told me that they will adjust our budget to accommodate a saving each month towards the cost. They were quite impressed that we had managed to save some already and they were adamant that we should not have to go without heating and hot water, despite being in debt. Even if you call them, you are under no obligation to continue with a DMP, but just talking to someone can ease a lot of your stress. Bite the bullet and go for it, you don't have anything to lose. Good luck, keep us posted!

Marisco

Hi Ellie I don't think they can take money out with the new card as I presume they haven't got the number. A while back I lost my debit card (actually I left it in the BA fast boarding machine in Moscow airport!!!:eek:and didn't realise till I got to Heathrow luckily the staff in Moscow had cancelled it.) I got a new one and didn't think about it, until I got letters off a couple of things I pay every month by card, mobile etc. I phoned the bank thinking they had cocked up, but it was because the number of the new card was different! They will have the old number which won't be valid anymore.