DMP & Mutual Support Thread - Part 10

sunnyskies2

in_a_noodle wrote: »

Morning all I'm just about to write my first letters to creditors asking to freeze action for 30 days whilst I'm in contact with Stepchange and am hoping someone could help with the following questions I have?

I have three accounts (loan, OD & CC) with HSBC, do I need a separate letter for each or will one combined be ok? Should I include token payments with this letter? And finally to whom should I post it to (branch or main office)?

I've just cancelled the direct debit for my other creditor (MBNA) as payment was due Thursday, so will fire them a letter at the same time.

Sorry for all the basic questions

Hi, I agree departments do not talk with each other. I sent my letters and first token payments under separate cover (registered post), except my current account letter which I handed in over the counter - you'll probably find on old statements etc that the different addresses - Lloyds do.

sunnyskies2

Hi all

Just wanted to share some proud news, for the first time I have got husbands s/e trade accounts which are due for payment by the end of the month paid. This means that money in from customers has not been juggled and used to pay some other persons 'account bill' and for us is great news and shows that I am getting us properly on track. It's a good feeling:)

Me too Kate, uniform shopping today - got in before the crowds and paid for it out of earnt money not credit card:) I still have shoes to get - they manage with one pair a year so I buy Clarkes, which are expensive but worth it. Will be dreading the shoe shop shop though, lots of deliberating re:styles. Btw, not sure if you're aware but the Victoria and Albert museum, a few doors down from the dinosaur museum has a lovely picnic area with a paddling pool - if the weather is good for your visit. (Free entry):)

Getting a bit carried away last night, I was messing around with the reduce your mortgage calculator. I was staggered by how much of the term can be reduced by a seemingly small amount of overpayments - one to think about.

Kate_fixing_it

sunnyskies2 wrote: »

Hi, I agree departments do not talk with each other. I sent my letters and first token payments under separate cover (registered post), except my current account letter which I handed in over the counter - you'll probably find on old statements etc that the different addresses - Lloyds do.

It's SO irritating! I did comment in my last complaint letter that they profess to be "the world's biggest bank" in their advertising yet cannot communicate between their own departments I'll let you know if they respond to to that

I think once you feel in control it gets easier. At the moment they have the upper hand - they've gone through these processes thousands of times, we haven't. We all start out with limited knowledge and a generous helping of fear and guilt. You aren't alone, you have a new group of friends here that have been through this, read the book and bought the T-shirt and we're willing to advise and support you all we can.

Kate x

Kate_fixing_it

sunnyskies2 wrote: »

Hi all

Just wanted to share some proud news, for the first time I have got husbands s/e trade accounts which are due for payment by the end of the month paid. This means that money in from customers has not been juggled and used to pay some other persons 'account bill' and for us is great news and shows that I am getting us properly on track. It's a good feeling:)

Me too Kate, uniform shopping today - got in before the crowds and paid for it out of earnt money not credit card:) I still have shoes to get - they manage with one pair a year so I buy Clarkes, which are expensive but worth it. Will be dreading the shoe shop shop though, lots of deliberating re:styles. Btw, not sure if you're aware but the Victoria and Albert museum, a few doors down from the dinosaur museum has a lovely picnic area with a paddling pool - if the weather is good for your visit. (Free entry):)

Getting a bit carried away last night, I was messing around with the reduce your mortgage calculator. I was staggered by how much of the term can be reduced by a seemingly small amount of overpayments - one to think about.

Well done :T :T I love that "paid for the month" feeling

Thanks for the tip. I still haven't told them we're going. DD2 is putting the thumbscrews on about going to London. We said months and months ago we'd go in the holidays and she isn't letting it drop :rotfl: I think even if it's grotty weather I may drop them in the paddling pool to calm down and cool off

I got most things (like you I'll do the shoe shop separately) and I only had to pay £11 from my money to kit the pair of them out completely :j Their school has changed uniform colour this year so even though some bit still fit I've had to completely kit them both out Just DS1 to sort now and he only needs a jumper (£25 and can't tumble dry :eek:) and shoes as he had a growth spurt and had most things replaced before the summer. However, with size 11 feet and standing at over 6ft now I can't squeeze him into kids clothes anymore!

Then again I'm glad the majority of it is out the way. I have nightmares about fighting my way through to get it that start around March! :rotfl:

Kate x

Startingover14

Thanks for the advice everyone - you are all great and really helpful. I have an unexpected night in as a friend cancelled coming over so I am going to speak to Stepchange tonight instead of tomorrow to get a few things straight.

I am going to then go into my account to cancel the direct debits as I have been reluctant to do this but as you have all said its something I need to do to start the ball rolling. I didn't want to have a ruined credit file, but I've come to conclusion that I really don't want anymore credit as its caused me issues and I want to earn the money I spend.

I've told one person and that is the only one I will tell and they are able to listen to me if I need an ear and hope I can come and share my worries here with you all.

What strikes me is how in control everyone feels now that they have started on this path and this is how I long to be, back in the driving seat.....

Suseka

Hello all,

Hope you all had a good weekend and its been good to read some 'milestone' stories. I need to set a few myself methinks.

I've not much to update on the DMP front, another month rolls by and I am still waiting to see the big 'D' on my credit file from Halifax. I sent them a reminder on Friday -having been promised four months ago that my account would be defaulted soon! Obviously their meaning of 'soon' differs greatly from mine.

For those of you who have sent kind messages about my sister recently. Everything went a bit pear-shaped over the weekend, she was rushed into hospital having collapsed. Seems she now has adhesions on/in her colon, so they've decided to bring her op forward and she'll have surgery to fix that and remove the remaining tumours this week. She'll then stay in hospital for two to three weeks whilst they stabilise her meds - so fingers crossed this will be her last surgery and long stay in hospital. She deserves a break.

On the 'weight issue' front I've decided to try intermittent fasting - I've read a lot about it and I think it will suit me. That and weaning myself off the antidepressants should hopefully see the scales heading in the right (down) direction for a change

Startingover14

Right I've cancelled the direct debits for minimum payments and set up token payments to come out on the same dates. I've got the letters ready to send just need to print and get some stamps.

I took Stepchange's advise to increase the food budget and also the prescription which leaves less for the creditors, but she did say it was flexible and if over time I felt that it needed to change then we could amend it again. I won't be going straight into the DMP due to salary and getting things straight so looks like it will be November which helps to get self together. Felt really bad doing it but it does mean its me in control. Deep breaths and start to get on planning.

This might sound daft but I have a huge amount of food in my freezer so I have made a list of my kitchen contents and intend not to buy any food unless its milk or bread until I've done what I can to eat my way through its contents. It might even have the effect of losing some weight which is another one of my challenges!

Time_to_face_the_music

Suseka wrote: »

Hello all,

Hope you all had a good weekend and its been good to read some 'milestone' stories. I need to set a few myself methinks.

I've not much to update on the DMP front, another month rolls by and I am still waiting to see the big 'D' on my credit file from Halifax. I sent them a reminder on Friday -having been promised four months ago that my account would be defaulted soon! Obviously their meaning of 'soon' differs greatly from mine.

For those of you who have sent kind messages about my sister recently. Everything went a bit pear-shaped over the weekend, she was rushed into hospital having collapsed. Seems she now has adhesions on/in her colon, so they've decided to bring her op forward and she'll have surgery to fix that and remove the remaining tumours this week. She'll then stay in hospital for two to three weeks whilst they stabilise her meds - so fingers crossed this will be her last surgery and long stay in hospital. She deserves a break.

On the 'weight issue' front I've decided to try intermittent fasting - I've read a lot about it and I think it will suit me. That and weaning myself off the antidepressants should hopefully see the scales heading in the right (down) direction for a change

Hope all goes well with your sister's surgery this week Suseka. Please let us know how she is.

Hugs
TTFTM x

Growurown

Suseka wrote: »

On the 'weight issue' front I've decided to try intermittent fasting - I've read a lot about it and I think it will suit me. That and weaning myself off the antidepressants should hopefully see the scales heading in the right (down) direction for a change

Hi Suseka, best wishes for your sister's speedy recovery.

As to the diet it works well for us, easy to do and doesn't cost any money either:)

Sazzie23

Suseka wrote: »

Hello all,

Hope you all had a good weekend and its been good to read some 'milestone' stories. I need to set a few myself methinks.

I've not much to update on the DMP front, another month rolls by and I am still waiting to see the big 'D' on my credit file from Halifax. I sent them a reminder on Friday -having been promised four months ago that my account would be defaulted soon! Obviously their meaning of 'soon' differs greatly from mine.

For those of you who have sent kind messages about my sister recently. Everything went a bit pear-shaped over the weekend, she was rushed into hospital having collapsed. Seems she now has adhesions on/in her colon, so they've decided to bring her op forward and she'll have surgery to fix that and remove the remaining tumours this week. She'll then stay in hospital for two to three weeks whilst they stabilise her meds - so fingers crossed this will be her last surgery and long stay in hospital. She deserves a break.

On the 'weight issue' front I've decided to try intermittent fasting - I've read a lot about it and I think it will suit me. That and weaning myself off the antidepressants should hopefully see the scales heading in the right (down) direction for a change

Hi Suseka

I think it goes along way to say that creditors aren't generally in too much of a rush to a default, so if that's where your worry lies, you can relax a bit, having said that of course, us DMPers know that defaults = good, so I hope that your reminder works.

Sorry to hear about your sister's weekend drama, I hope that the surgery provides the expected result and things settle down again. Keep positive, and you know we are here for you if you need a shoulder.