About to take the plunge

thatsean

Thanks, for the first time in a long time I feel in control and not just treading water.

*grin*

thatsean

So, it's a week on (minus a few hours) since I called Payplan for the first time to discuss setting up the DMP.

Sat AM - First call
Sat PM - Callback to confirm creditors and details
Tues AM - Call to formalise with Advisor
Weds PM - Got authorisation forms in the post to return
Fri AM - Made first payment
Fri PM - Received text to say that my authorisation form received and offer letters are going out to creditors

If you're struggling with managing debts yourself then I can't recommend Payplan (I'm sure CCCS are just as good- I just have no experience) enough - they dealt with me in a non judgemental, matter of fact way. However much you owe, chances are they have seen something worse.

For me this has been quite an emotional journey - having worked in a specialised industry for several years, and achieved a reasonable level of success, I became ill with stress and depression in October 2010. I decided for the sake of my health that the best for me was to quit work, and to find something less stressful with fewer hours while I took a look at my life, so i decided to study part time, and get a less stressful job while I focussed on getting better.

Needless to say, the creditors that I had were not very sympathetic, whilst I kept the mortgage on track, everything else started to slip to the point where I was getting some form of reminder letter daily. After managing to keep most of them happy with payment offers last week I started browsing the DFW threads out of curiosity (I normally lurk on telecoms and bank threads) and saw how many people had a positive experience with a DMP.

Of course, it all depends on your circumstances, if you're in a job that requires a clean credit file then you'll have to look elsewhere for a solution. If you're not however, it's strangely liberating.

I know next week that lots of letters will start arriving at my creditors, and that lots of letters will be sent to me along the lines of "Are you for real?..." And that's fine. I'm almost looking forward to it. I know that my credit is going to get shot to pieces, and I don't care. I've got 2 bank accounts, and I save with my local credit union - Amex might not be interested in me, but they can't possibly be as disinterested as I am in them!

I scampered downstairs rather excitedly when I heard the post come through this morning - and that's really the point of a DMP - getting your life back. I'm fully aware that I'm going to get angry letter after angry letter, and have oiled the shredder in anticipation - this won't be an easy journey, but if some debt collecting oik on an autodialler thinks they can intimidate me then they are out of luck.

In three years' time my debts will be paid, I'll have a masters degree and some money saved. I can't wait

Jak65

thatsean wrote: »

So, it's a week on (minus a few hours) since I called Payplan for the first time to discuss setting up the DMP.

Sat AM - First call
Sat PM - Callback to confirm creditors and details
Tues AM - Call to formalise with Advisor
Weds PM - Got authorisation forms in the post to return
Fri AM - Made first payment
Fri PM - Received text to say that my authorisation form received and offer letters are going out to creditors

If you're struggling with managing debts yourself then I can't recommend Payplan (I'm sure CCCS are just as good- I just have no experience) enough - they dealt with me in a non judgemental, matter of fact way. However much you owe, chances are they have seen something worse.

For me this has been quite an emotional journey - having worked in a specialised industry for several years, and achieved a reasonable level of success, I became ill with stress and depression in October 2010. I decided for the sake of my health that the best for me was to quit work, and to find something less stressful with fewer hours while I took a look at my life, so i decided to study part time, and get a less stressful job while I focussed on getting better.

Needless to say, the creditors that I had were not very sympathetic, whilst I kept the mortgage on track, everything else started to slip to the point where I was getting some form of reminder letter daily. After managing to keep most of them happy with payment offers last week I started browsing the DFW threads out of curiosity (I normally lurk on telecoms and bank threads) and saw how many people had a positive experience with a DMP.

Of course, it all depends on your circumstances, if you're in a job that requires a clean credit file then you'll have to look elsewhere for a solution. If you're not however, it's strangely liberating.

I know next week that lots of letters will start arriving at my creditors, and that lots of letters will be sent to me along the lines of "Are you for real?..." And that's fine. I'm almost looking forward to it. I know that my credit is going to get shot to pieces, and I don't care. I've got 2 bank accounts, and I save with my local credit union - Amex might not be interested in me, but they can't possibly be as disinterested as I am in them!

I scampered downstairs rather excitedly when I heard the post come through this morning - and that's really the point of a DMP - getting your life back. I'm fully aware that I'm going to get angry letter after angry letter, and have oiled the shredder in anticipation - this won't be an easy journey, but if some debt collecting oik on an autodialler thinks they can intimidate me then they are out of luck.

In three years' time my debts will be paid, I'll have a masters degree and some money saved. I can't wait

'

'oiled the shredder' love it! :rotfl: It's really important we all keep a sense of humour! Good luck with it all. x

Mort

I was with Payplan and they helped me clear my debts. I remember the starting out period and the sense of relief that it brought on.
One word of warning though, it will probably take some time for the creditors to come on board, so don't get too dispirited if they try to play hard ball with you.
Good luck with the DMP.

wants.to.be.debt.free

Good Luck with the DMP

I bet all your family and friends have noticed a change in you for the better, you seem happy

Top-ranking_Bug

thatsean wrote: »

I scampered downstairs rather excitedly when I heard the post come through this morning - and that's really the point of a DMP - getting your life back.

In three years' time my debts will be paid, I'll have a masters degree and some money saved. I can't wait

Now that's JUST the attitude! In fact, everyone should put that on their front door so as they leave the house, they can see it and take courage from it.

Thank you for an inspiring post. :beer:

thatsean

I'm glad it meant something positive to you! Thanks.

The support on this site is quite overwhelming, it's great to know that you're not alone when dealing with things like this.

Time_to_face_the_music

thatsean wrote: »

I know next week that lots of letters will start arriving at my creditors, and that lots of letters will be sent to me along the lines of "Are you for real?..." And that's fine. I'm almost looking forward to it. I know that my credit is going to get shot to pieces, and I don't care. I've got 2 bank accounts, and I save with my local credit union - Amex might not be interested in me, but they can't possibly be as disinterested as I am in them!

That really made me laugh and reminded me of my OH who makes rude gestures every time he walks past a branch of NatWest or Lloyds TSB :rotfl:

Your credit will be shot to pieces but you will be in charge of your life again and on the way to being debt free. Well done Sean :T

thatsean

I'm in a huff tonight. I've had some letters from creditors - to be fair they were less shouty than expected. But shouty enough.

I made this mess, and I'm bloody well going to dig myself out of it, but it's not always easy.

*huff*

Mort

Keep calm and carry on