How does it work?

moohound

It is a bit of a learning curve at first, three weeks ago I didn't know that there was such a thing as a DMP!

enoughsenough

I've just done the debt remedy thing by CCCS and it is suggesting a DMP, but for a family of 4 does anyone know how much they will be thinking we could live on? At the moment we don't have any personal spends and our shopping bill is down to £200 a month, no clothing or footwear allowance, days out etc...

I really feel better just being able to ask these questions! Does that sound stupid?

enoughsenough

eyeopener2 wrote: »

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No more tears ok?

E2

Ok, i'm trying. a good nights sleep would help!. xx

Time_to_face_the_music

enoughsenough wrote: »

I've just done the debt remedy thing by CCCS and it is suggesting a DMP, but for a family of 4 does anyone know how much they will be thinking we could live on? At the moment we don't have any personal spends and our shopping bill is down to £200 a month, no clothing or footwear allowance, days out etc...

I really feel better just being able to ask these questions! Does that sound stupid?

Not stupid at all

On the living costs page, over at the right hand side, there is a suggested column. Just click on this and it provides you with a suggested value for each item.

A piece of advice I have heard time and time again here and I wish I had known before we started our DMP is: Do not make life too difficult for yourself and your family. A DMP can be a long term commitment so don't commit yourself to being penniless for all that time. Be a little creative with some of your expenses. For example, don't have any pets? Add one or two and use the money you will be allowed to build up an emergency fund. Keep the balance between paying off your debts and having a reasonable life

enoughsenough

Time_to_face_the_music wrote: »

Not stupid at all

On the living costs page, over at the right hand side, there is a suggested column. Just click on this and it provides you with a suggested value for each item.

A piece of advice I have heard time and time again here and I wish I had known before we started our DMP is: Do not make life too difficult for yourself and your family. A DMP can be a long term commitment so don't commit yourself to being penniless for all that time. Be a little creative with some of your expenses. For example, don't have any pets? Add one or two and use the money you will be allowed to build up an emergency fund. Keep the balance between paying off your debts and having a reasonable life

That sound like excellent advice, i wasnt sure what they was for, i really wish we could spend £500 a month on food AND have a clothing allowance, that sounds like the high life to me! paying the debt is what feels important at the moment tho but it would be good to be able to build up an emergency fund again.

I can honestly say 'never in my life will i have another credit card!'

XX

Time_to_face_the_music

Just make sure you are ok if something unexpected happens, e.g. washing machine breaks down, fridge freezer defrosts all over the kitchen floor or the one we had this month ... car needs £424 worth of work to get through the MOT

Re more credit, oh yeah, I know where you are coming from with that one!

Do we worry about our credit score? NO because we never want credit again, is the mantra in this house :mad:

debtfreewannabe321

Hi enoughsenough, Don't feel worried about coming on here and sharing your woes, or asking questions. Most of us have been in the same place as you at some point. I started my DMP jan '11 and it's the best thing i've done. It's taught me how to budget and like you I never ever want a CC again!

I've also changed my payments a few times to reflect what is coming in and out of the house so don't feel worried about repayments, the creditors can only take what you have to give.

Good luck and post up a soa like a few have suggested. I did this when i first joined here and got some really invaluable advice good luck xx

sickasachip13

Hi.

I'd echo some of the others and say do not make it ridiculously tough for youtselves, it's going to be a steep learning curve living without credit and, at times, that's gonna take cojones of steel! So, have a look at the allowances and, even if you don't currently spend anything in them, put something in. For example, we claim the magazine/newspaper allowance although we don't use it - this helps absorb some of the additional pet costs (which is above the allowable for us).

SAAC

debtfreewannabe321

sickasachip13 wrote: »

Hi.

I'd echo some of the others and say do not make it ridiculously tough for youtselves, it's going to be a steep learning curve living without credit and, at times, that's gonna take cojones of steel! So, have a look at the allowances and, even if you don't currently spend anything in them, put something in. For example, we claim the magazine/newspaper allowance although we don't use it - this helps absorb some of the additional pet costs (which is above the allowable for us).

SAAC

Totally agree, i have £500 + in my grocery budget on the CCCS budget :eek: when in reality i've comfortably got my budget down to around £250-300 (tops) and the extra money we have in there cover our extras on the car (as what they allow isn't enough for old banger that constantly needs repairing)