Reeling from the Reality Check

Historybuff

Thanks, Wantabetterlife,
First steps to being debt free taken! Looking forward to seeing the totals reducing.

tootallulah

I just read from start to now, well done you have made brilliant progress. Good luck, I will subscribe.

Historybuff

Just checked the bank online and, lo and behold, they have changed the accounts from joint to sole! Hurrah! Now I can get cracking on the overdrafts. What a relief! I thought i would have trouble getting them to do it with it being in overdraft, so almost didn't try. Just goes to show...never assume anything.
Hopefully today I will be able to put my finances to the back of my mind and get back on top of the work pile that has built up over the last two weeks. Time to make a list... I think today will be a good day

there_is_a_light_2

Good morning HB.
Just popping by to say WOW, great progress made already this week (and it's only Wednesday!). Hope you enjoyed the well deserved glass (or two?) of wine last night?
Brilliant news about the account too as I know this was something that was niggling you.
Did pop on here to update my own diary - but got distracted by reading yours, and even though I don't know you I feel really chuffed for you today!
That feeling of knowing there is a way out of debt and finally taking those steps is priceless and I would say life changing, so well done.

Historybuff

Thanks for caring TIAL and Tootaloolah, hope you have a good day today too.
The drive into work was better today...sun shining and snowdrops out. Amazing how a change in mood makes you notice the little things. Now to get stuck in...

PlymouthDad

Just caought up with your diary and you posted yesrerday about having the courage to talk to your creditors. Im doing a managed dmp because i just cant summon that courage. Grrrrr. Its takig longer to set up aswell as you say but part of that is due to me having to sort salary hoint accounts and a new account. Youre doing great though. I just want to get started really.

Although i am an impatient so n so! Haha

Historybuff

Hi PD,
It's hard waiting for those accounts to be sorted, isn't it. And even harder having to speak to people to admit your financial problems. I screwed up my courage to call them up because I just knew I had no other option, but to get the payments reduced quickly. You don't know the people you are speaking to and they don't know you...I just kept in my mind that they are anonymous and it was just like talking on the forum, except they had the power to help me get sorted. They were all sympathetic on the phone and I was surprised at how quickly they were able to put a payment plan in place. If you are happier with the managed DMP, then I think you should follow the steps that SC gave you and let them negotiate for you. Calling up the companies was no where near as bad as I thought it was going to be. I only felt relieve when I had done it.
Good luck and I hope your accounts get sorted soon and you are on the way with your DMP.

Historybuff

Final job today...print off the financial statement to send to one of the CC companies to confirm the payment offer. Keeping an eye on the bank account so I can cancel and swap DDs over to the new account as soon as they come out.
What a change to go from never looking at the bank account, to checking it several times a day...and instead of hiding the letters unopened, opening immediately to check the numbers. What a difference.
Reading a couple of the threads on other boards over the last couple of days has made me think that other issues I have...borderline hoarding, disorganised living environment, weight gain, lack of housekeeping routines, inertia, not wanting to go out...are all linked and the debt problem is part of this. I'm hoping that now I've begun to get some order into the financial situation, I might begin to see some improvements in these other areas. Think I need to make a list...

in_need_of_direction

What you've achieved in such a short time is amazing. Keep up the good work.

Historybuff

Thanks INOD,
Feeling a bit more in control, although I have become a bit obsessed with checking the bank and updating the YNAB spreadsheet! One extreme to the other.
Today received my new debit card and signed up for telephone and internet banking on the new account. All poised for transferring the DDs now as they are taken out of the old account this month.
Had three letters from one of the CC, one notifying me I had gone over the credit limit, another letting me know I was in arrears, and the final one agreeing to and setting out the agreed payment plan...all signed by the same person!
Another CC sent a text saying the payment plan was agreed and to make sure I paid by the agreed date or else!
No forms yet from the CC wanting the financial statement filling in and sending back...I'll give them till Mon, then get back on the phone.
I have organised a new filing system and putting all letters etc together as soon as I receive them. I can now put my hand immediately on all important documents without having to rummage! Feels good.
Looking at the numbers still makes me feel sick, though. I still can't believe I let things get so out of control and build up to such a high amount. No more...the amount might get a little bit bigger until the payments start to kick in, but it's down, down, down from her on in. At least I hope so. Aiming to stay focused.