Lumpy's Newbie DMP Diary

lumpyspaceprincess

I'm terrible, I was doing well after that, but I haven't paid anything off my OD, and I've had a letter from SC today asking abut some credit I've taken. I can only think it's my previously approved overdraft usage. I dunno.

I've applied for another job, it will be a reduction in income if I get it, but I think it's going to be much better for my mental health. Course, then my debt will be a bit more than I earn in a year, and I'll get 300 or more less a month, so will need to adjust my DMP.

My partner is applying for jobs left right and centre, and won't qualify for JSA until 4th August (an old sanction he was never told about) so it's another stingy month. Just been paid, but most of it' gone for this that or the other. Going to attempt a couple of NSDs next week, as I fall into the trap of feeling bad, so buying myself a little something at work (a drink or something) and before you know it I'm £5 lighter. Need to get over that

Ninno820

Please use the YNAB and do some of their webinars. I have just started on this journey and have replaced my spending habit with checking the YNAB app.

lumpyspaceprincess

XPosted from the DMP Support Thread

Spoke to SC today about the letter - it is my overdraft, and the letter was prompted by me starting the rebudget process online but then cancelling out of it when it told me to ring them.

As I can't change the account (I work for the people, it's part of my contract) they've advised me they won't take the next two payments, instead that's to be used to pay off the OD. I've to write letters to all my creditors to inform them of the situation, and offer token payments for those 2 months. I've applied for a new job with a reduced income, so if I get it I'll have to adjust the plan anyway - so we'll see what happens! I feel better for speaking to them, I just need to find a letter template now!


I've got my interview for the new job tomorrow, and a final Friday if I'm shortlisted (which, tbh, I ought to be - I could do the job easily!) Nervous but excited although it would be less money, my work life balance would be better, and I'd find it so much easier on my mh.

Got a phone assessment Thursday night with the local MH team actually, which is something after waiting nearly 18 months.

Ninno - Definitely going to give YNAB another go, and try the webinars. I think the only reason I didn't before was because I get paid midmonth, and because I started spending what I didn't have and didn't want to look at it! I paid the money, I may as well use it. (Was annoyed to see it crop up at 70% off on steam a few weeks later lol!)

lumpyspaceprincess

Okay, lots to update

Work - I didn't get that job, kind of embarassing actually, but at least I get to keep my wage while I work out what I want to do. I think because I applied and interviewed for that, my boss is more keen to keep me around, and hopefully better management may be enough to keep me in the role.

MH - Had my phone consultation with the Local mh team, been referred for one on one counselling. The list is about 6 months long, but I guess in comparison to how long I waited for the phone call that's nothing. She basically identified the underlying problems straight away, and and it felt good to actually say what I'd been holding in for so many years. So hopefully the counselling will be sooner rather than later, and I can start moving on with their help.

Money: Wrote to all my creditors advising them of my situation with the debt I have to pay as priority, and sent them all a £2 cheque as a token payment. Hopefully they'll be fine with that in the short term, and then my October payment will be back to normal.

Assuming I'm staying in this job / this company / this team for a while, then I have a bonus in March (halfway there!) and I think I'll use a chunk of that to pay off one of the smaller debts in it's entirety, and take a bit off another. Also my partner can sign on tomorrow, yay, which means an extra bit of cash per month, which will lighten the load a little!

Need to update my sig with a breakdown of the debts I think, would be easier to keep track. Also, got a Valued Opinions payout, so my amazon credit is now £30 (building it up for Xmas) and I have a £10 Boots voucher on the way to me. Waiting for a payment from ABH, and now at 9000 swagbucks (from 0 May!) so almost at the £50 paypal mark, thinking about whether to withdraw it and keep it aside, or keep counting until I get to £100, which I doubt will be that long at this rate. Would be a nice boost for my birthday in December

lumpyspaceprincess

Got a phone call from Hitachi Capital Friday evening (whilst I was running out of the rain) accepting the token payment for the next two months, and just making sure I was okay. The lady was so nice, and understanding - I hope everyone I have to deal with ever is like her (unlikely, but still!)

Friend's wedding Saturday and I've spent up with a week to payday. Getting home was much more expensive than I thought, and then some money we expected hasn't panned out. As I can't really increase the OD, my mum is lending me a bit til then so I can get gas and food. I'll be fine to give her it back from next month's spends. It was a lovely day though, and worth it. At least I'm getting good value from the wine with this endless hangover... lol

Busy the next two nights, but hoping to find something to Cex, or get some books together for selling. There's bound to be something I'm not using that will do me a bit of good.

lumpyspaceprincess

I'm such an in infrequent poster on this, wow. I need go get in touch with people I think, as they're all charging £12 default fees (no good when the min payment is around that)

Last month of the DMP break, payment will come out end of October, hopefully the OD will be cleared this month as I'm waiting for £100 paypal from swagbucks

lumpyspaceprincess

2 letters from tesco arrived yesterday, double checked with them and they're STILL saying they've not had confirmation of the DMP despite SC sending it twice. They have it for the loan, but not the card. Huh? Anyway, SC are going to send it again, and they're going to (finally) freeze the interest etc, and stop adding £12 fees here there and everywhere. Which is nice.

Looking forward to a couple of days in London during my week off next week, been saving a bit towards it, and bought the coach tickets / room a while ago at really good prices so lots of walking, free museums, should be lots of fun. Nice to be away from work at least, can't wait for 4pm to come so my 'summer holiday' can start!

lumpyspaceprincess

Poking my head out of the sand again here!

Finally paid all the OD off, so although this month is expensive with the combination of the last OD payment and restarting the DMP. Flogging things on ebay etc to balance the books for the month, but it needed to be done.

1st November I'll have DMP payment come out again, and I'm going to restart with YNAB from then as I won't be worrying about available vs actual balance on my current account anymore, since it's no longer a problem.

Legitimately a bit excited by this, it'll be the first time without an overdraft on my current account since I left school, I've always been in it. At least a few £k of my debt is from 'paying off' the OD before reusing it... still onwards and upwards...well downwards ideally!

lumpyspaceprincess

So. here we are a fortnight later. I've been perpetually skint this month, it's been long and arduous, and I've a week til I get paid. We've not put any gas on so about to hit emergency credit, I have £1.85 in the bank after doing £9 of shopping at farmfoods but I'm keeping my chins up.

Waiting for payment from music magpie who've had my items since 3rd, I got an 'apologies for the delay' email and promise of entry into a prize draw - would much rather have that money though, I've to give my brother £20 back friday somehow!

Will be cexing the a few things tomorrow just in case, have cancelled orange wednesday as we can't really afford any food or drink, and the film we had planned was long so we'd have proper rumbly tums at the crucial moment no doubt.


Updated balances in DMP, payment should come out later this month as SC took their payment 1st Nov, be nice to see that go down again. Done some updating of my signature too, and checked my advantage card points. Have reapplied for a prescription prepayment card as mine just ran out, and just based on my regular prescription of 2 items a month it's saving me nearly £70 a year, which is barking mad. Glad I thought ahead

lumpyspaceprincess

So it's been a while. Coming up to my annual review in May, and despite having the break when things went PeteTong, I should hopefully be just under 20k after the first year.

My partner started work recenntly, so I'm going to be increasing the DMP contribution by 30% to account for his share of the bills, and to try and bring that DFD nearer. We're currently planning our wedding later this year, but we're keeping costs below 1k and going small and thrifty as much as possible. It's nice to have that something on the horizon as well though, and we can account for that as the DMP is sole anyway.

Getting an annual bonus shortly, but because we've been so tight for a few years I'm going to use it to get a new laptop as that'll pay dividends, and get my hair done. About to sort new home insurance out, and have switched utilities; it's prepayment but thankfully the option was still there!