LBM - Finally. Scared to death

Ellieseleven

Hi Carol,

Just wanted to say Hi and well done for getting this far.

I remember being in your position oh so well and not knowing which way to turn for the best. I had never missed a payment to the CC's, loans etc. and felt so guilty for finding myself in such a mess. I was scared to talk to anyone and it took me a while to contact SC (all the time getting into a worse mess). I got to the stage where I didn't have an alternative so had to admit defeat and I did then ring SC, who were so helpful and reassuring. That and the help of these forums were my saviour and I realised that I wasn't alone and from that point onwards I have never looked back.

Just over three years on from the start of our DMP we have paid back over 40% of what we owe, we have managed to cut our DFD by approx 4 years (and hoping to it even further), we sleep at night, we have an emergency fund (although I do have to keep dipping in to maintain my car), we live within our means and budget for the things we need.

We still have a way to go but in some ways a DMP has been the best thing for us - we are both in our fifties and my worry was that we would still owe an enormous amount when we retire but as it stands we will be debt-free well before then and be able to enjoy our time rather than dread it.

You have taken the biggest and most scariest step in my opinion and that is facing your debt and getting in touch with SC who will offer help and support all the way and of course these forums which are invaluable (I look on them as my cyber friends where I can share my innermost thoughts)

Good Luck for the future and I'm sure that you will look back in a few months and appreciate just how far you have come

Take care

Ellie xx

Heffi1

carol1963 wrote: »

I still can't get my head around not having Heinz Baked Beans but that's my cross to bear!!!!! Small mercies I suppose, ha, ha. Anyone out there know what are Aldi's like???


Carol xx

Hi Carol,

You are doing well, I just thought I would tell you about the beans :rotfl: I always use Aldi beans and tomatoes, they are cheaper and I find them tasty, but if you are worried, then buy one tin to try and make your mind up afterwards, you will only spend about 30p so not a huge amount to lose if you don't like them, I am unsure how much Heinz beans are, but I have to say I have not bought branded beans or tomatoes for over 20 years and no one in this house knows the difference.

I buy tomatoes that are not chopped, as I begrudge spending a few pennies more on something that I cut up at home, why pay for it when I can do it myself...

AlexLK

Carol, sounds like you are doing great. I am managing my debt myself and whilst before I contacted the creditors it was only letters, now I have started to receive phone calls asking for money on top of what I agreed. In many ways it is utterly soul destroying. For the last couple of calls I've gone down the harassment route, currently hoping they will now stop.

carol1963_2

Evening Peeps, Just a bit more advice please good people. I'm starting to get notice of arrears letters and e-mails, what do I do please? They are the dreaded pay day loans do I ring them or just file them? They know I'm on a debt management plam but just unsure what to do? Any help, as usual would be appreciated. Thanks Carol xx

sleepygirl126

same thing carol....refer them to stepchange...don't let them bully you and stay strong

The phone calls etc do stop.....I haven't been harassed for 2 years and my payments are running well:rotfl:

You're doing great......keep going

carol1963_2

Afternoon Peeps, I'm still here and in my second month (I know that's not a lot but) with my DMP. Not a lot has happened apart from me getting a letter from MacKenzie Hall telling me I've got to pay the Wonga pay day loan off in 7 days.

Christmas is pretty much cancelled at home but I do have some jars of chutneys/jams I can give as presents but I'm feeling rather jealous of other people, both at home and at work who are telling each other what they have been buying, the only thing I have bought for Christmas is flea stuff for the dogs!!!! Do other DFW's feel as I do or is it just me? I feel like just locking the door, going to bed and not waking up until the new year - oh well, obviously just feeling sorry for myself. Carol xx

stormtreader

I know its sounds very trite, but you are giving your family the gift of a much brighter future

Sazzie23

carol1963 wrote: »

Afternoon Peeps, I'm still here and in my second month (I know that's not a lot but) with my DMP. Not a lot has happened apart from me getting a letter from MacKenzie Hall telling me I've got to pay the Wonga pay day loan off in 7 days.

Christmas is pretty much cancelled at home but I do have some jars of chutneys/jams I can give as presents but I'm feeling rather jealous of other people, both at home and at work who are telling each other what they have been buying, the only thing I have bought for Christmas is flea stuff for the dogs!!!! Do other DFW's feel as I do or is it just me? I feel like just locking the door, going to bed and not waking up until the new year - oh well, obviously just feeling sorry for myself. Carol xx

Hi Carol, my first Xmas on DMP too. I think the first few months are hard as stuff settles down. However I've been going a few months and have managed to build up a very little excess which I've allocated for small pressies for deserving people. I do find it depressing when I look at things I would have bought without a thought, but hey that's how I got myself here :eek:
When people ask about presents - 'are you ready for Christmas' I say stuff like, we're trying to cut down so I'm waiting for the sales or the cut-prices on Christmas eve. When I have searched my cupboards I found a few unused things I can recycle as pressies, and I have found one or two unopened toiletries I'm going to claim as pressies to myself.

I guess its normal to feel a bit down, but as previous poster said, its in a good cause and you need to keep that in mind.

I've posted this link a few times tonight, so I hope I'm not offending anyone but the DMP support thread is useful for tips/advice and a friendly shoulder https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4437925

All the best & Merry Christmas