Lumpy's Newbie DMP Diary

lumpyspaceprincess

Just updated my signature, and thought I'd drop an update in too. 15% paid off, that's ace! My dfd is currently Jan 2018 as I've increased my monthly payment from 1st May to £650. Almost under 20k, how I long to see that first digit go down!

I've been looking at finances and I think from November I can afford for my dmp pmt to go up to £750, which seems insane! I want to bring that date down to in 2017 though, if not 2016. Hopefully!

I'm impressed with my progress in this first year, despite 3 months of not paying anything because I'd not included OD and it needed clearing. I signed up to Costco with a discount at work too, I haven't been yet but we're going for the first time this week, get what we can in bulk to save £. Will look for relevant threads shortly!

lumpyspaceprincess

Need to restart this diary really don't I? About to hit the 2 year mark on my DMP, all but 1 of my debts have now been sold on (can't remember the details without the letter) and I'm thinking it might be time to go selfmanaged on a DMP, so I have more personal control over it and can work at getting it paid off before Xmas 2017.

lumpyspaceprincess

Terrible at updating this, crikey. Just done my annual budget and made my first larger payment. PRA were a bit rubbish and didn’t accept the payment because of my name change but on checking their notes they could see I told them in October, so that should be sorted soon. With the new payment the DFD has gone down to Nov 2017, but I hope to bring it forward to September or so, that way our 2nd wedding anniversary will be debt free, and we’ll celebrate on holiday!

I need to start looking at how to improve the credit score now, since it took over a year between my first and last default (thanks Barclaycard!) 2 years into the DMP my noddle score is below 500. Gulp. We’re hoping in 2 years to be in a position to have a small deposit and buy a house – but not likely with a credit score like that! Need to look for DMP friendly improvement tips!

lumpyspaceprincess

So my first of the new payment have gone out to everyone, Robinson Way are saying I haven’t told them about my arrangement (for the millionth time) but are taking the payments. I think I’ll dig their last letter out and ring SC about it this week.
Meanwhile Argos consider it to be too high for an arrangement, so want to add interest on again…. Not exactly fair if you ask me! To try mitigate that I’m chucking the odd £10 to it here and there to try and reduce what they can charge me interest on.

All fun and games

lumpyspaceprincess

As I posted in the DMP support thread yesterday, I just received my latest DMP statement and it’s looking good. At that point in time I’ve paid 49% off, and my next payment went out today which will firmly take me past the 50% mark. That’s an awesome place to be in, the hope and positivity, and seeing how much I’ve paid off. It’s a bit unreal tbh! I spent a good while yesterday working out on the current plan what my payments should reduce it to each month now until I’m clear. My next goal is single figure debt, ie < 10k, which should happen in September. It’s looking like it’s going to happen, you know?!

In minor irritants, I’m still arguing with Robinson Way, SC are sending them payments but since April they’ve been bouncing them because ‘they don’t recognise me’ due to my married name being with SC. I informed RW at the start of the year of my married name, and they put it on record, since then I’ve had countless letters and now emails asking me to arrange a plan with them, and I’ve rung 3 or so times only to have it verbally confirmed they have it noted on my account and they can’t see why it’s causing an issue! Tried to ring SC but the last two attempts I’ve been on hold for 20+ minutes without getting through, and I haven’t the patience for that currently! Fingers crossed the latest call to RW will have sorted it, I just want a proper look at my balance!

lumpyspaceprincess

Waiting for the update of my new DMP statement, I want to see I'm past halfway!


I remembered my SAYE account today, in 18 months that should give me just under £1000 which will be a nice bonus when my DMP is paid off! Will put half aside for emergencies and spend part on something fun I think!

lumpyspaceprincess

Well don't I feel like a fool, I just this minute got the notification the statement is updated.


Payments to date £12,778.00
Estimated Balance £11,738.38


That's 52% paid! The only good use of that figure in recent knowledge

lumpyspaceprincess

Latest statement is in...


Payments to date £13,554.00
Estimated Balance £10,973.38


56% done give or take. Yay!

lumpyspaceprincess

Meant to update that I won a little money in a Paypal competition last month, and I decided to put it aside for the various fun things we have planned, rather than chuck extra at the DMP. An unexpected windfall of any amount is appreciated, and I'll get more out of the events knowing I've technically not paid anything for them!

lumpyspaceprincess

I’ve been officially terrible at updating this, much better at posting occasional updates in the DMP support thread, doh. After increasing my DMP payment after a small raise, I’ve just paid my last ‘full’ payment, and have one more payment September 1st to the two creditors I have left. I’m paid mid month, so my last payment comes from this wage, and is sincerely reduced from normal amounts – so I’ve booked a spa evening with a pal amongst other treats I anticipate this month!