Potential DMP: Well that's the first call done

TimeToDoIt

So for as long as I can remember, I have avoided answering my mobile, unless I knew who the call was from.

I have taken the first few steps to set up a StepChange DMP this week.

By sheer coincidence, I was messing around with my mobile as a call came through and so there was no way I could ignore the call.

It was NatWest calling to talk about my over the limit credit card.

I took a deep breath and said I was entering into a DMP. And yes, I had a reference number (she asked me if I had one)

She was so kind and understanding. She took some information and actually said that she wished me good luck with her. I started to get a wee bit teary and did actually say to her that she was the first person I had spoken to and so thank you for being so kind. She told me that most people would be understanding and again told me good luck. She then went on to say that I had done the hardest bit by doing something about it.

Huge sigh of relief.

Puzzcat

Well done you.. they only get easier after the first one.
Puzz. x

National_Debtline

Hi there,

Glad to hear that things are starting to move in the right direction. That's great customer service from NatWest.

- David.

TimeToDoIt

Full of confidence from that call, I then called my mortgage company to discuss the arrears on my account (I was already in a payment arrangement with them which I broke this month when I couldn't make the payment..... decided to call them to discuss rather than have them call me)

Again, I explained that I was going into a DMP and that as it stands, I couldn't pay my mortgage.

She asked me if I could pay anything. I admitted that all I have is £80.

She said ok, well why don't you pay that to us this month and we'll resume our normal monthly payments next month.

So relieved

The mortgage company was my biggest worry.

I feel like crying with relief

Historybuff

Well done, Time. Bet you're starting to feel a whole lot better now. It's never as bad as you imagine.

Ellieseleven

Well done you! I'm sure that it's a weight off your shoulders;)

Ellie xx

TimeToDoIt

I'm feeling much happier, thank you
My 2 big worries as I started out on this was the mortgage company and the reaction from my employers

Well problem number 1 I have just sorted, and 2 is absolute small fry compared to the alternative of struggling on month by month making minimum payments to credit cards and loans, never seeing the balances come down a lot and STILL not having enough money to live on

So bring on the DMP. 27 months and then I'm free of this

whipster221073

TimeToDoIt wrote: »

I'm feeling much happier, thank you
My 2 big worries as I started out on this was the mortgage company and the reaction from my employers

Well problem number 1 I have just sorted, and 2 is absolute small fry compared to the alternative of struggling on month by month making minimum payments to credit cards and loans, never seeing the balances come down a lot and STILL not having enough money to live on

So bring on the DMP. 27 months and then I'm free of this

Fantastic news.
Its such a weight off your shoulders when people are understanding.

Fantastic customer service from Natwest.
Get yourself a calendar and mark off the months as they pass. Just think 27 months time, your life can start afresh, WITH NO DEBT'S.

Sounds good doesnt it. :T

TimeToDoIt

It just seems so good!
I've been in debt for 10 years. I can't remember not being in debt!!

Powered_By_Pies

Be sure to budget correctly once a DMP is fully set up and payments are being taken - the first month of my DMP made me a bit giddy at first because I looked at my account after payday and for the first time in a good few years I had a good chunk of my wage left.

This can spark off a desire to impulse buy - "ah, I have the money for this now, why don't I treat myself..." That was a thought that crept in my mind last month when I was looking at a replacement laptop. I managed to stop myself from spending though, and instead got a part to bring an old netbook back into service whilst I save.

Budgeting accordingly is the next step. I'm still learning the finer art of it, only been in my DMP for 2 months, but things are starting to settle down now and I'm not so ready to whip out the debit card just on a whim or because I want something 'a bit fancy' for lunch!!!

TimeToDoIt

I've actually spent most of this afternoon looking for a budgeting app that I could download to keep me on track