Help help help - we don;t know where to turn!

Nargleblast

And besides, even if you left the credit cards alone from now, you still wouldn't know what the final balance was because of the way interest and charges get lumped on by these companies, and when the statements arrive, there is always a delay between the statement date and the date they get your payments, by which time more interest has been added - need to be a maths wizard to work it all out! So don't stress on actual figures to the last penny at this point, estimates will do, and everything will be sorted out once the accounts are frozen.

Nargleblast

Have just bumped the DMP mutual support thread on to the first page of the list for you, you may find it helpful.

BlushingRose

Well, we've done it. We've filled in the online form and sent it off to CCCS. Now we wait for Mr BR to get an email... *scared*

Mr BR has just given me a great metaphor for how he feels about it all.

He says it's like we're standing on the edge of a horrible, wide, cold and icy river knowing that we have to jump in and swim to the other side. We look over our shoulders and there are hungry wolves running towards us, fangs dripping with blood and drool and they want to get us...in order to escape we need to make that jump into the river and swim to the other side.
What we're about to do, is jump and start swimming and it'll be awful for a while, we'll hate it, it'll be cold and tiring, but when we get to the other side, the sun will be coming up and we'll start to get warm again. We'll be able to look across the river and think 'thank God we jumped'....

BlushingRose

Nargleblast wrote: »

Have just bumped the DMP mutual support thread on to the first page of the list for you, you may find it helpful.

Thanks chuck

Mort

BlushingRose wrote: »

One thing, for example, that I hadn't grasped is that we should have a *basic* account without cheque book or overdraft facility. This is what she's suggested is that right? We were hoping to move to an account that at least had a debit card to use in shops or over the phone. Can someone confirm for me please? Thanks.

She is right. Our Co-op cashminder account is a basic account, no overdraft, no cheque book but it did come with an electron debit card although the last one issued does not have electron written on it, just visa. Account opened over the phone.

Can be used online and on phone - had some places that would not accept it years ago no problem in recent times.

Alice_in_Poorland

We submitted our SOA to CCCS to start a DMP tonight and have that scared feeling too.

I have had a bad few days with regards to the mess we have got ourselves into. When I started my diary about 4 weeks ago I was sure we could work things out together but alas it was not to be. On a plus note I have had great support from people on here.

Not sure how long the DMP will take to sort out. I know we need to open new bank accounts but even that I find a daunting task, not sure which bank to go to etc etc.

Good luck.xx

eyeopener2

The scared feelings are normal. I was petrified about what was to come, I had feelings of failure and all sorts of odd things. Taking my first payment to the Posty Office to pay CCCS was a low point.

But...

All of a sudden I had this great sense of relief. I new I couldn't borrow anymore and I had a sense of empowerment so that when the creditors called (and they will mark my words) I was ready to deal with them because I had help, I had support if I needed it.

The first few months are a bit tough, getting used to living on a budget, dealing with silly letters and phnecalls but then you get into a groove of managing your money and thats it. Your settled in on your journey.

The phonecalls and letters stop all of a sudden, which is a bit weird at first, but stop they will.

Your all doing the right thing. A DMP is tough, its not a magic wand to make your debt dissapear, but its a tool to help you achieve your goal of being debt free.

Ups and downs, swings and roundabouts you will have it all but its worth it.

E2

BlushingRose

Thanks guys....
I can't believe the lovely support I'm getting from you all, it's making this journey (and we haven't really started it properly yet) much easier already.
We're fearful, and yet (at the moment) almost looking forward to the challenge. I hope that continues when the DMP becomes a reality and the phone calls start

BlushingRose

Well, panic this morning as the pack from CCCS has arrived via email but we've remembered that we didn't include a couple of standing orders!
Mr BR is going to ring them today from work. Hoping they can recalculate....

Memory_Girl

BlushingRose wrote: »

Mr BR has just given me a great metaphor for how he feels about it all.

He says it's like we're standing on the edge of a horrible, wide, cold and icy river knowing that we have to jump in and swim to the other side. We look over our shoulders and there are hungry wolves running towards us, fangs dripping with blood and drool and they want to get us...in order to escape we need to make that jump into the river and swim to the other side.
What we're about to do, is jump and start swimming and it'll be awful for a while, we'll hate it, it'll be cold and tiring, but when we get to the other side, the sun will be coming up and we'll start to get warm again. We'll be able to look across the river and think 'thank God we jumped'....

The thing is - we will all be on the other side cheering you on and throwing you life preservers when you need it.

A DMP is just the first step - the wealth of knowledge on here is astounding - how to fix stuff, feed a family on three lentils and a stock-cube (I'm kidding but only just) now to get the best deals, how to find freebies

---

in short how to play and win at this game called money.

But its baby steps first - a slow systematic turnaround to your finances, one that is so worth it.

MG