Reeling from the Reality Check

Historybuff

Hi there, turfy6 I'm fine. It has been a wee bit hectic the last few weeks. Work was mental and I got exhausted. On holiday for a bit now, so recovering. I'm still no further on with getting the overdrafts on a payment plan, but think the message is getting across to them now the accounts are on the limit. The next time they take interest out they will go over, so then they might talk about getting a payment plan. I've had the first standing orders go out from the new bank to all the other creditors, bills are paid and for the first time in years there is a credit balance on the current account! Feeling a lot more in control.
The extreme food shopping was really hard and I didn't manage the £10 challenge, but it did serve the purpose of making me much more frugal in my shopping choices.
The de cluttering is going slowly. Three steps forward and one back. The room I was clearing to make my workshop/office has now got filled up again! I'm determined to get in there though by the end of next week! Sat down and made a list of priorities for doing the house up and it's going to take ages Way too much stuff.
Grown up children home for the week, so lots of action, however, my purse is staying firmly closed. Cooking a lovely meal at home instead of going out, much to everyone's shock.
Looking forward to a spa treat next week with my two best friends. Overnight stay, dinner and treatments...birthday treat. Can't wait!

Historybuff

Took my eye off the ball. Just found I missed an endowment payment because I forgot to post the new DD form! Thankfully no harm done, but a reminder to stay on top of things.
Well I think I have finally got through to the bank re the overdrafts. After speaking to the collections dept today, I've sent off the financial statement and budget details, so fingers crossed they will accept the payment offer, then all creditors will be on board. And I will feel a whole lot better.
Only three more DDs to get sorted to the new bank account. Almost there.

Historybuff

So it's been a whole week since I sent off the budget summary to the bank and they have still not got back to me re a payment plan. All the others sorted things out quickly mostly over the phone. Wonder why this one is different. I would have thought they would want to start getting some money back as soon as possible.
Ending the month on a positive note with everything paid up to date and a small positive balance in the account. Spa break was really relaxing and it felt good only spending what had been budgeted. I can do this!

Historybuff

Still no communication from the bank re payment plan for overdraft. Shall I just make the pro rata payments anyway? I think I will and see what happens. Will be rubbish if they don't stop interest and charges though

in_need_of_direction

There were two bank holidays in there. If you still haven't heard anything by the end of the week, a recorded delivery letter might be the way to go.

Historybuff

Thanks INOD, I'll do that. Also getting arrears payment letters from ccs even though a payment agreement has been made. I'm going to have to write to them too about that.
Thought it was going too smoothly.

Historybuff

Still no word from the bank! And more arrears letters. Is this normal even when you are paying the agreed amount?

Historybuff

No letter from the bank re the overdrafts. I will phone them again on Mon and resend the original letter by recorded delivery, including the SC number this time to show I have taken advice from them. This was the debt I was most concerned about because, although banking with this company since 1981, I know I am just a number to them.
Just wondering whether to start paying the amount I can afford anyway, although it will not go anywhere near paying the debt off if they don't freeze interest and charges.

Historybuff

So...got really worried about still not hearing from the bank. Got up the courage to ring them up today to see what was taking so long to set up the payment plan. Apparently, it has been agreed and a letter sent out informing me on 28th April which I haven't received yet. Phew! So all is now moving forward. They have stopped interest and charges and want to review in six months. That is a weight off my mind, especially as I had been reading on here about how difficult this particular bank can be.
Managing to stay well in budget at the moment and am aiming to build up a small financial buffer, so that I'm not always living on the edge at the end of the month! Aiming for £250 at the end of May. Hopefully for the next few months things will settle down a bit now I have paid the outstanding utility bills from switching suppliers, the car tax and a couple of double direct debits that were slow to change over when I changed banks. Everything is now set up with the new bank and all the DDs and SOs have been taken out at least once. I should now begin to be able to relax a bit.
Looking forward to a relaxing Bank Holiday weekend seeing friends, walking the dogs and generally pottering about. Bliss!

Puzzcat

Glad it's all fallen into place hb, enjoy the long weekend. X