DMP & Mutual Support Thread - Part 10

Zerdi6

Just logged into SC online and wondered if anyone can help?

On the first page (my plan) my estimated total balance is 4575.80, but when I click into Statements, the total remaining is 3375.80? My first payment was in August so hasn't been applied to the account or sent to creditors yet.

kb_soma

Zerdi6 wrote: »

Just logged into SC online and wondered if anyone can help?

On the first page (my plan) my estimated total balance is 4575.80, but when I click into Statements, the total remaining is 3375.80? My first payment was in August so hasn't been applied to the account or sent to creditors yet.

The balances are estimated and you can update them at any time as they do not take into account any charges that have been added by your creditors.

My statement balances are often different to the estimated balances, so I try to keep these as up to date as possible.

It is probably that they haven't taken off your payment from your statement yet, but a good idea to keep an eye on updating the balances regularly, as it can be a little disheartening when your actual balance is higher than the estimated.

Not sure if all that made sense?! If it looks completely wrong, give SC a call.

racht

Advice please... just checked my new noddle report since starting my dmp last month and on the electoral part -my middle name is now 'rejected' and just wondered if anyone else had this?

Was hoping to start feeling less stressed now dmp all up and running but just waiting to hear back from Stepchange as some of my payments to my creditors have not been received- Next have already cancelled the agreement as payment was missed but have luckily reset it but added interest 1st. I didn't send the token payments this month as the payments should have come from Stepchange so just need to find out where all my payments have gone- I have checked all account numbers and all are correct so very puzzled.

kb_soma

racht, the stepchange payments come out of your account on the 1st of the month and get distributed to the creditors on the 25th, I think.

Don't feel disheartened, I got letter after letter at first saying payments were late, but they were being made, it just takes a little longer for them to get there. The interest is a pain, but it can be something that it is hard to freeze.

Everyone needs reminding once in a while that we are heading in the right direction, the hardest point is deciding to do something about it, and I think we all deserve a pat on the back for getting to the places that we are all at, in the varying stages of DMPs, starting out and being at mid way points. Take a breather and congratulate yourself, it is worrying at first but it does get better.

igaveupnowimback

Sazzie23 wrote: »

Looking forward to tomorrow to find out what the issue was ??

Thanks Sazzie, was simple, SC were unsure whether I had confirmed new bank account. Had confirmed with them, some miscommunication somewhere. Were great when I called, obviously ensuring all in place before they contact that creditor.

racht

kb_soma wrote: »

racht, the stepchange payments come out of your account on the 1st of the month and get distributed to the creditors on the 25th, I think.

Don't feel disheartened, I got letter after letter at first saying payments were late, but they were being made, it just takes a little longer for them to get there. The interest is a pain, but it can be something that it is hard to freeze.

Everyone needs reminding once in a while that we are heading in the right direction, the hardest point is deciding to do something about it, and I think we all deserve a pat on the back for getting to the places that we are all at, in the varying stages of DMPs, starting out and being at mid way points. Take a breather and congratulate yourself, it is worrying at first but it does get better.

Thanks for that, but what I meant to say was 2 of my creditors haven't received their payment since the 25th august yet and its now been over a week and I allowed for the bank holiday. Next had agreed to freeze interest but because the payment hasn't been received from Stepchange they say my agreement has been broken so they have added interest. I thought it was too be good to be true when Next was so understanding!!

kb_soma

Thanks racht, have you tried to call stepchange to ask what the status is?

racht

I messaged them yesterday as have no working phone at the moment- just waiting for them to get back to me.

kb_soma

fingers crossed it'll be soon.

Growurown

Brogden wrote: »

- No matter what threats are made to you DO NOT pay any payday loan company or 'respectable' bank money that should be going to your utilities.
- Make sure your mortgage, electricity, gas, water AND COUNCIL TAX is all paid before offering anybody else one penny.

Great advice. These are all your priority debts and come way before creditors who can wait for their bit!

igaveupnowimback wrote: »

I seem unable to grasp my new SC budget, I am used to having LESS disposable income than that actually allows, yet I can't organise myself, don't know how best to divide up the budget to cover the various categories so they build up as required. I couldnt understand the YNAB budget. Any tips on organising ?

Mine is similar to to sazzie and zerdi too.

First of all I pay every bill I possibly can by monthly direct debit so that is a fixed amount every month.

My emergency fund money and payments that I can't make monthly such as the car tax gets paid into my Credit Union account. I don't have instant access to that money so can't buy stuff in the shop on a whim, but when I do need funds I telephone them and it is in my bank account on the same day. Really stops that impulse buying!

For food and petrol - well I tried several methods. Petrol isn't so bad because that is fairly constant from month to month but the food was a nightmare. OH likes Waitrose and proper brands. No Aldi baked beans for him. So what worked best for us was cash, draw the money out and when it's gone - tough, go without or live out of the freezer.