DMP & Mutual Support Thread - Part 9

hopeful_at_last

HRKL14 wrote: »

Thanks guys,

Really a supportive forum on here. I feel I am not on my own, even though I feel sick inside.

I just couldnt go on like this any longer, I kept this a secret from my nearest and dearest aswell.

making that first step is the best thing ever, good luck

Time_to_face_the_music

HRKL14 wrote: »

Thanks guys,

Really a supportive forum on here. I feel I am not on my own, even though I feel sick inside.

I just couldnt go on like this any longer, I kept this a secret from my nearest and dearest aswell.

Hi and welcome HRKL14 :hello:

Not feeling like you are on your own is what this thread is all about. Knowing there are other people in the same situation who can help, advise and support you is invaluable.

Stick around and ask anything. No question is stupid ..... and trust me, I asked some daft ones when I first arrived

TTFTM x

Time_to_face_the_music

hopeful_at_last wrote: »

Hi all

Has anybody managed to get interest frozen by aquacard or barclaycard. I have just sent them letters by recorded as they never answer my emails

Are these the first letters you have sent or have you previously complained to the two creditors?

If you have already complained and you have not had the response you want, contact the FOS and ask them to act for you:

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumer/complaints.htm#0

Even if it's your first contact with the creditor, the FOS is usually willing to contact them on your behalf so give them a call tomorrow.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

TTFTM x

Woodypuddy

HRKL14 wrote: »

Thanks guys,

Really a supportive forum on here. I feel I am not on my own, even though I feel sick inside.

I just couldnt go on like this any longer, I kept this a secret from my nearest and dearest aswell.

Hi HRKL14

If you review my 1st post a couple of weeks ago you will see that my situation was very similar to yours in that I had 55k of debt that my other half was oblivious to - in the 2 weeks that have followed I have contacted a national Debt helpline, admitted that I had reached breaking point and confessed to my husband (that was not easy). I just didn't want to keep up the lies that everything was ok any more.

2 weeks on, although still pretty scared, I have applied for a DMP via step change (13 year plan), for the 1st time I have not met my minimum payments, just paid token ones and written them all letters about my DMP, but I now (luckily) have the full support of my other half. Looking back I can't believe how stupid I was not doing something sooner.

I now feel more in control and a huge sense of relief. Just crossing my fingers that my creditors will freeze interest once the DMP is set up (MBNA have written back saying they will continue to charge interest and charges until my DMP is agreed, not a great start but staying positive as I have my 2 highest debt cards with them)

So I guess from one newbie to another, taking that 1st step is the hardest but even so early on I know it was the best thing I could have done

catandy

hopeful_at_last wrote: »

Hi all

Has anybody managed to get interest frozen by aquacard or barclaycard. I have just sent them letters by recorded as they never answer my emails

Hi


I finally got interest and fees stopped by Aqua but it was a fight - lots of calls/ letters and finally the FOS but all refunded in the end... moral of the story don't let it just give it a chance to work itself out and start fighting from as soon as you know they are still charging - will save you much hassle further on:)


Barclaycard have been ace for me so cant comment on that


good luck with everything!

Coinmachine

Woodypuddy wrote: »

Hi HRKL14

If you review my 1st post a couple of weeks ago you will see that my situation was very similar to yours in that I had 55k of debt that my other half was oblivious to - in the 2 weeks that have followed I have contacted a national Debt helpline, admitted that I had reached breaking point and confessed to my husband (that was not easy). I just didn't want to keep up the lies that everything was ok any more.

2 weeks on, although still pretty scared, I have applied for a DMP via step change (13 year plan), for the 1st time I have not met my minimum payments, just paid token ones and written them all letters about my DMP, but I now (luckily) have the full support of my other half. Looking back I can't believe how stupid I was not doing something sooner.

I now feel more in control and a huge sense of relief. Just crossing my fingers that my creditors will freeze interest once the DMP is set up (MBNA have written back saying they will continue to charge interest and charges until my DMP is agreed, not a great start but staying positive as I have my 2 highest debt cards with them)

So I guess from one newbie to another, taking that 1st step is the hardest but even so early on I know it was the best thing I could have done

woodypuddy I could have written the exact same post as you. If it helps I got the same initial letter from MBNA but I think it is just standard as once StepChange had been in touch MBNA were the quickest to respond and have forzen all interest.

HRKL14

Woodypuddy wrote: »

Hi HRKL14

If you review my 1st post a couple of weeks ago you will see that my situation was very similar to yours in that I had 55k of debt that my other half was oblivious to - in the 2 weeks that have followed I have contacted a national Debt helpline, admitted that I had reached breaking point and confessed to my husband (that was not easy). I just didn't want to keep up the lies that everything was ok any more.

2 weeks on, although still pretty scared, I have applied for a DMP via step change (13 year plan), for the 1st time I have not met my minimum payments, just paid token ones and written them all letters about my DMP, but I now (luckily) have the full support of my other half. Looking back I can't believe how stupid I was not doing something sooner.

I now feel more in control and a huge sense of relief. Just crossing my fingers that my creditors will freeze interest once the DMP is set up (MBNA have written back saying they will continue to charge interest and charges until my DMP is agreed, not a great start but staying positive as I have my 2 highest debt cards with them)

So I guess from one newbie to another, taking that 1st step is the hardest but even so early on I know it was the best thing I could have done

Hi Woodypuddy,

Yes, I can relate to you in the scared feeling, I kept my debt away from my partner. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done admitting what I failure I had been to her. Its the unknown which I am scared about, keep thinking no one will accept the DMP. I am such a worrier. I did not realise how many people are in the same boat as me. OH has been very supportive as she said theres nothing else we can do except contact one of the charitys for advice. I have found SC very good but its only the beginning of a very longer journey yet.

I do wonder if it was the right thing to do going down this route. I am not worried about my credit rating for the time being, as its shot for now anyway. Its the fact if creditors go for CCJ's or BR.

Got to keep positive but such a worrier. This forum and reading all the reviews is keeping me sane at the mo!!

Good luck

Sazzie23

Welcome HRKL14

Well done for facing your debts and making at start at fixing them. Loads of support on here and I think many of us sympathise with the feelings when you have to admit it's all gone horribly wrong.

But your here, your getting on with things and it here is a brighter future ahead, but it can take some work so keep coming back while you get it fixed.

For info I started 12 months ago with £34k debt approx and no CCJ acquired so far, I still have some massive challenges with an interest only mortgage that I cannot pay, but I'm not giving up yet.

Thanks for sharing, one thing I realised on here is how many people actually read the forums without joining in, you are helping them too.

HRKL14

Sazzie23 wrote: »

Welcome HRKL14

Well done for facing your debts and making at start at fixing them. Loads of support on here and I think many of us sympathise with the feelings when you have to admit it's all gone horribly wrong.

But your here, your getting on with things and it here is a brighter future ahead, but it can take some work so keep coming back while you get it fixed.

For info I started 12 months ago with £34k debt approx and no CCJ acquired so far, I still have some massive challenges with an interest only mortgage that I cannot pay, but I'm not giving up yet.

Thanks for sharing, one thing I realised on here is how many people actually read the forums without joining in, you are helping them too.

Hi Sazzie,

Thank you for your post, yes I have never posted on forums in my life I am generally a quiet reserved person who keeps everything bottled up not telling anyone about my situation, It made me ill and never want to feel that low ever again. Any one reading this, I have learnt to share your problem with at least someone. Trust me I know how many of you out there are suffering in silence. There is help and support out there even though it is scary at first.

AmyA86

Hey all, my DMP isn't set up yet but I sent off letters to make companies aware. I have now received a reply from Next saying they will accept a payment of £1 for 3 months starting in March then revisit. Problem is they are still looking for this months min payment, asking for £113 which is due by 13th Feb. Do I pay this?

Also haven't yet contacted my bank as still going through switchover, I have a loan and overdraft with them, anyone got any advice on how best to contact them to make them aware? The bank is the one that is scaring me the most.

And once again Thankyou to you all for making this less terrifying lol!!