Can't believe the mess I'm in!

Pink-Angel

Lleuadwen wrote: »

Newbie here too but not a newbie to debt I'm ashamed to say. I've been on a DMP for over a year and it has given me my sanity back! Although as it stands it will take me 'til I'm 82 to clear it all !! Just so you know Angel, wisdom doesn't always come with age - as I'm in my early 50s and shoulda known better. Good luck hun x

Thanks for your post Lleuadwen, and welcome to the forum. You will find so much support on here, and lots of people who can help with questions too. I'm so glad you've found being on a DMP has helped. I think so many people of all ages struggle with debt, and it's a postive thing to be doing something about it. Good luck to you too x

Pink-Angel

DreamerHelen wrote: »

Hi Angel...Just read the whole of this Thread and I so admire what you are doing!!! You are amazing to have gotten this under control...whereas I am still in the weeds having had a LBM about 2 years ago and still in so much mess after ignoring it for far too long!!

I'm determined that I'm going to get my Debts sorted out this month...even if it means sending off several Letters to my Debtors and living on Baked beans for a week or two!!

Anyway...Just wanted to say how much I admire you and I'm just about to subscribe to your Thread....I'll try to post on here when I can...Things can be difficult for me right now....but I'm getting there.

Hi Dreamer Helen,

Thanks so much for your post. I'm sorry things feel difficult (it's a horrible feeling isn't it?!) but well done for being determined to sort your debts out. Please don't beat yourself up for the denial. I think most of us have thought that things would somehow sort themselves out, only to realise that is never going to happen. The important thing is you're on the right track now.

Hang on in there, take one day at a time and remember that there is a lot of support on this forum if you need it. Take care x

Pink-Angel

Well, my stress levels are sky high right now over the problem I have with needing change banks again. I've had another bad night's sleep with nightmares about Barclays saying no to me on Friday. So things aren't great ....

But it occurs to me that since I had my LBM and started to seriously look at my debts, I'm not doing too badly. In January I didn't set foot in any shop other than one where I needed to buy something essential, like food. This is a big turn around for me. I've also been taking my lunch to work every day and saving money by using up things in my cupboards/freezer. I've sorted out things to sell on ebay, and have lots of items listed on there already. I'm also looking around for an extra job I can do one day at the weekend with an aim to help get my debts down quicker. My whole thinking has changed dramatically around money. I've had to tell people I can't do things socially because I can't afford it, and it's been ok.

So although I have this big bank problem hanging over me, there is hope for me yet

ampersand

Hello Pink-Angel,

Spotted your post by chance when closing mse.

I wish you all good things on your difficult journey and will have fingers crossed for you on Friday. I have been very lucky with my local Natwest Branch and am sorry you have not found a safe harbour or empathy with them...this last has kept me with them, thanks to a first mtg with one lovely and personally open man.

As I see your green light on, you might like to come here sometimes:
http://forum.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=2039611&page=389
Also, if you feel yourself faltering with CCCS, check out CAP[see siggy], also recommended by Martin and many others. They don't proselytise or harangue - I know of them through all they have done for mumoftwins. They will also ensure you have 'nice' money every week and regard it as essential for self-esteem, learning to like/love your new self.

Be kind to yourself, bonne courage!
########
re: ebay. Hope you know to do 10-day listings on a Thursday pm, to give 2 weekends for potential buyers to browse.
Also, if I've missed it, apologies, but I don't see your SOA posted yet. It really is key. There are people here who will give brilliant insights on savings and living which will make you happier and healthier on every level before you realise it is happening.
Alos, why not factor in maybe 30 mins each morning before work to do tickbox.net and/or similar? A friend who began this a couple of years ago has had extraordinary luck.

Pink-Angel

ampersand wrote: »

Hello Pink-Angel,

Spotted your post by chance when closing mse.

I wish you all good things on your difficult journey and will have fingers crossed for you on Friday. I have been very lucky with my local Natwest Branch and am sorry you have not found a safe harbour or empathy with them...this last has kept me with them, thanks to a first mtg with one lovely and personally open man.

As I see your green light on, you might like to come here sometimes:
http://forum.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=2039611&page=389
Also, if you feel yourself faltering with CCCS, check out CAP[see siggy], also recommended by Martin and many others. They don't proselytise or harangue - I know of them through all they have done for mumoftwins. They will also ensure you have 'nice' money every week and regard it as essential for self-esteem, learning to like/love your new self.

Be kind to yourself, bonne courage!
########
re: ebay. Hope you know to do 10-day listings on a Thursday pm, to give 2 weekends for potential buyers to browse.
Also, if I've missed it, apologies, but I don't see your SOA posted yet. It really is key. There are people here who will give brilliant insights on savings and living which will make you happier and healthier on every level before you realise it is happening.
Alos, why not factor in maybe 30 mins each morning before work to do tickbox.net and/or similar? A friend who began this a couple of years ago has had extraordinary luck.

Thanks for your post, encouragement and tips.

Natwest have been fine as a bank, the problem is I was wrongly advised about opening a new account. I have a debt with MINT and apparently MINT is Natwest. I've been advised by CCCS to open another account to prevent any possibliity of money being taken from my account for the debt.

I haven't posted a SOA, I haven't found the need because I've done this with CCCS when I signed up for a DMP and have a workable budget. I'm quite savvy about shopping around for cheapest deals re things like home, car insurance (in fact knocked my home insurance down when they sent quote £70 dearer than last year an I threatened to go elsewhere). The problem has been getting out of the debt cycle, and I now I feel I'm doing something positive about it.

Yes, I always put items on ebay on Thursdays - or when they have their free listing weekends.

Pink-Angel

I've recieved my first letter from one of my creditors. It was a strange one, saying that they 'can't action my request' until I sign the bottom of their letter. It makes no reference to what I wrote about (setting up a DMP), so I'm not going to do anything as I don't know what I would be signing!! I know when CCCS sent my letters to my creditors (and what they have been offered - that's interesting to see) and that they will get their first payment this month, so I'm going to ignore it for now.

Feeling sick all the time at the moment. Will be glad when Friday is here and I will find out if I can open another bank account. I've looked at the booklet from Barclays and there is an account for people with a low or no credit rating, so hopefully it will be ok. I just thought I had it all sorted, and not looking forward to having to change direct directs etc again.

Squirrel29

Hi Pink Angel. I've picked up from this site that you shouldn't sign it. I didn't with my token letters. If they haven't got a valid CCA they can be sneaky and 'create' one from the signature! I see you had a sleepless night once again. ((hugs)).

honeybear68

Felt the need for cuddles so hear you go:grouphug::) does that feel better?

Pink-Angel

Squirrel29 wrote: »

Hi Pink Angel. I've picked up from this site that you shouldn't sign it. I didn't with my token letters. If they haven't got a valid CCA they can be sneaky and 'create' one from the signature! I see you had a sleepless night once again. ((hugs)).

Thanks v much Squirrel for tip and hugs. That confirms I'm right not to sign. I shall ignore the letter.

Hope things are ok with you x

Pink-Angel

honeybear68 wrote: »

Felt the need for cuddles so hear you go:grouphug::) does that feel better?

Thanks v much Honeybear x