Stop being a Wimp!... DMP Journey

motivated

Barbie61 wrote: »

Thanks for all the encouragement here - I am just about to complete the online tool and get advice about a DMP - I feel so foolish - have tried so many things to put things right but just made the wrong choices over and over again - not to mention catastrophes in my life which have taken everything I ever managed to save. My trouble is - I would give away my last penny to my family, friends and charities. I have five rescue dogs and I know they will say this is too many - I seem to remember you're only allowed something like £30 a month for pets which is ridiculous. Not feeling very hopeful about this to be honest, but not sure what else I can do. Must protect my home at all costs!! any encouragement will be greatly appreciated x

Hi. I too have just started the journey into DMP Land, Although I only have one dog I upped the money on my budget to over £100 for him for vet bills food medicines and insurance. SC said nothing.

I was worried sick about taking the first steps but plucked up the courage. I have done everything online with only 2 phone calls to them. Our DMP is all set up ready to go. As easy as that. Don't worry it is fine I promise

Good luck with your journey

[Deleted User]

Ellie, I just had to come on here and post this as my internet connection has been down for most of the past week:mad:. Just discovered it's restored and working (I couldn't sleep, raging toothache:o).


I was gutted that I missed your actual DF day especially as you've been my inspiration through DMP land for so long and I've been counting down the months and days with you.


Still, I'm only a day late and I expect you are still on cloud nine so here's a virtual glass of champagne or whatever your celebratory tipple of choice is :beer:. The beer emoji doesn't seem right somehow in the circumstances. A whole magnum of the best champagne is the least that you deserve:A.


Here's to all the wonderful debt free years that lie ahead for you. Please don't leave us though, those of us still plodding through our DMPs still need your encouragement:A

Ellieseleven

Barbie61 wrote: »

Thanks for all the encouragement here - I am just about to complete the online tool and get advice about a DMP - I feel so foolish - have tried so many things to put things right but just made the wrong choices over and over again - not to mention catastrophes in my life which have taken everything I ever managed to save. My trouble is - I would give away my last penny to my family, friends and charities. I have five rescue dogs and I know they will say this is too many - I seem to remember you're only allowed something like £30 a month for pets which is ridiculous. Not feeling very hopeful about this to be honest, but not sure what else I can do. Must protect my home at all costs!! any encouragement will be greatly appreciated x

We all make wrong choices at times but that's life:o Well done on approaching SC and seeking advice. I found this was the hardest part so give yourself a pat on the back;)


We had an elderly cat and I just explained to SC that we needed to budget for medicines and vet bills. This wasn't a problem and formed part of my budget throughout the years.


Good Luck! Once you have faced your debt, you will feel empowered and believe me it WILL be worthwile.


Take care
Ellie x

Ellieseleven

motivated wrote: »

Hi. I too have just started the journey into DMP Land, Although I only have one dog I upped the money on my budget to over £100 for him for vet bills food medicines and insurance. SC said nothing.

I was worried sick about taking the first steps but plucked up the courage. I have done everything online with only 2 phone calls to them. Our DMP is all set up ready to go. As easy as that. Don't worry it is fine I promise

Good luck with your journey

Well Done on tackling your debts motivated. I can tell you that it will all be worthwhile. Once you have your DMP up and running, all the stress of trying to make payments each month disappears. It's not all plain sailing and I would urge you to try and get a decent emergency fund behind you before you start making your monthly payments. This does make a difference as you will have times when you need to dip into your fund (as you have no credit).


Take care


Ellie x

Ellieseleven

carbootcrazy wrote: »

Ellie, I just had to come on here and post this as my internet connection has been down for most of the past week:mad:. Just discovered it's restored and working (I couldn't sleep, raging toothache:o).


I was gutted that I missed your actual DF day especially as you've been my inspiration through DMP land for so long and I've been counting down the months and days with you.


Still, I'm only a day late and I expect you are still on cloud nine so here's a virtual glass of champagne or whatever your celebratory tipple of choice is :beer:. The beer emoji doesn't seem right somehow in the circumstances. A whole magnum of the best champagne is the least that you deserve:A.


Here's to all the wonderful debt free years that lie ahead for you. Please don't leave us though, those of us still plodding through our DMPs still need your encouragement:A

Good to see you CBC and you are not too late...the celebrations are likely to go on for a while yet.


I have no intention of leaving. I need to be around to cheer you through the finish line:j


Take care
Ellie x

Ellieseleven

Yesterday, after 6 years and 8 months (80 months) I made my last payment to SC:j


I have paid back a total of £46,215.90 and you know what it feels wonderful! It's not been an easy ride and there have been times when I felt like throwing the towel in but then I thought about this day and just kept going.


For over 30 years, I had credit cards in one form or another and could pay them as I stayed well within my limits but then OH was made redundant and set up a small business. Things went well for a while but then as recession hit so was the business. I started to dip into the credit cards more and more, knowing full well that I was stretching myself too thinly.


It got to a stage where I was paying out over £1300 per month on CC's. I started withdrawing money from one to pay another, the interest rates started to go up and up, I found I was struggling to pay bills and as soon as I was paid, all my money had gone. A very familiar situation to many of you I'm sure.


About 1 year before we went on our DMP, I took 25% out of one of my pension funds and started to pay back some of the money I owed but it wasn't enough and so with each interest rate rise I found myself back at square one. The feelings I had then were ones of utter despair. I remember sitting on our patio in the garden contemplating suicide as I didn't think there was a way out:(


I had been a member of Martins forum for a few years and used it from time to time but it has been my saviour:T


I decided to look into a DMP and the advice on here was to use a free one so I went on line and did the SC Debt Remedy. It took me a while to push the button but I'm so glad that I did and now look where it's brought me:)


I'm debt-free, I have a bright future to look forward too and I hope a long and happy retirement.


The difference it will make to me cannot be measured but I feel so humble and grateful. I have been given another chance and I won't ever go back to those dark days. I look at money in a different way now and have learnt so many lessons along the way.


To all of you, my virtual friends, I want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. You have been my inspiration, my motivation and you have allowed me to vent about my useless OH at times when I have needed it.:T


I wish you all the very best and for those of you still working your way towards your own debt-free date, I will be here cheering you along the way. Keep going, I want you to feel the euphoria that I am feeling right now.:j


Take care
Ellie xx

Ellieseleven

Ha Ha!...and then you are brought right back to earth! My car has failed it's MOT:( On the plus side, It's only a minor thing so will cost just over £100 plus the MOT...just when I had started on the elusive emergency fund again:o


My next goal is definitely that damned Emergency Fund:rotfl:


Ellie x

[Deleted User]

Ellieseleven wrote: »

Ha Ha!...and then you are brought right back to earth! My car has failed it's MOT:( On the plus side, It's only a minor thing so will cost just over £100 plus the MOT...just when I had started on the elusive emergency fund again:o


My next goal is definitely that damned Emergency Fund:rotfl:


Ellie x

Shame about the MOT failure:mad:. At least you haven't had the panic of where to find the money to pay for the repair (or whether you need to keep the car off the road until you could find it). Been there, done that:o

Ellieseleven

Whoo Hoo! I've got my debt-free badge and I will wear it with pride :money:

Ellie x

Chrisblue1962

Hi Ellie

I am quietly elated that you are finally debt free. You ae shining example of what can be achieved with knowledge, hard work and a vast amount of self belief.

Myself and my OH are still "navigating the stormy seas to a harbour in Debt Free Land" but your fanastic achievement only serves to double my resolve.

So Ellie, in the near future I hope you find a quiet moment and sit down with a glass / mug of your favourite beverage and quietly enjoy it whilst saying to yourself " Success!".

Heartfelt best wishes for the future