DMP & Mutual Support Thread - Part 10

Kate_fixing_it

Bit of good debt news from me too! I paid for a training course for DD1 back in April from my overdrawn account before I jumped into DMP-ing, she didn't get a place and I was pretty annoyed that I'd lost the money...or so I thought... Today the company have emailed and told me they've refunded me! Only £35 BUT (yes...It's one of my big buts again ) it means when November's DMP payment is paid over the overdraft will be down to the £1700s :j :j :j wasn't expecting this before Christmas

Letter from creation - and what a creative work of art it is! They are still considering and investigating my complaint (not sure that it takes much investigation - I pay £28 per month and they add £27.50 of charges!) They're going to write again in 4 weeks, meanwhile, as they investigate I'll pay a whopping £1 off a debt of £2980. Muppets!

Still, things could be worse! In fact things are decidedly good. I have another interview on Friday - this time for a job I'm doing part of already so I'm hopeful. Won't be quite the salary jump of the last one but every little helps

It's my half - anniversary with SC this month. Really can't believe that 6 months has gone so fast! Thanks to each and every one of you for your unwavering support

Kate x

ForMySister

Kate_fixing_it wrote: »

Get the "I'm not wonderful" idea out of your head right now! Go and read your post again and pretend it's one of us writing it. You'll see how wonderful it is! Having been in a similar situation a good few years ago with my own sibling I can tell you that they aren't going to tell you very much without her speaking to them and agreeing to it I'm afraid. Depending on how unwell your sister is this may not be possible (my sibling was in an induced coma but his creditors still wouldn't speak to me). If she's able to get on the phone with you and give her consent you can probably get a lot of things in motion. If not they'll just have to wait. Sorry if I sound a bit blunt but you seem like a practical poster who will appreciate my comments in the way they are meant.

Now, more importantly, make sure she (and you) fully understand what they can and can't do. If debts are in her sole name they CAN'T make you pay, make her husband pay. If the debt is all unsecured they can't take her home, they can't put her in prison or send bailiffs round.

And most importantly of all, and I know you want to help but look after YOU. You'll be no use to her at all if the stress of this makes you ill. It takes years to come to terms with a situation like this (it's been over a decade for me and it still haunts me) give yourself some time to process the situation away from your sister.

If you need to talk please feel free to PM me and post here.

Kate x

Oh Kate, you just made me cry (but not in a bad way, lol). Thank you so much for your comments xx

Kate_fixing_it

Better out than in so I refuse to apologise for making you cry! I'm not the sort of person that falls apart during the bad stuff life throws at me - I do it when someone is nice to me, sounds like you're going through something similar. Sometimes it just helps to know others have gone through something similar and that you are not alone. It's really hard to be the rock in this situation so please don't forget to look after yourself.

Does your employer offer Employee Assistance at all? It could be the crutch you need to help you through this. It's okay to not be strong all the time. We can offer you practical advice with regards to debt but the situation is much bigger than that for you.

I think in a few years your sister is going to realise how wonderful you are. Right now she's undoubtedly grateful for the support but she must be in the most horrendous turmoil.

My heart goes out to both of you.

Kate x

Karen777

ForMySister - you are indeed marvellous. Agree with the others - if you can get your sister to give consent for companies to deal with you then you should be fine and can deal with her account while she recovers. Peaceful wishes to both of you.

lewpster

Hi everyone! Changed my user name so I can't be found so easily!!

All not too bad here. First SC payment goes out next week eek so I really am doing this. Tomorrow I get paid and can pay off my £200 overdraft as I am only making £10 token payments this month then I am raring to go(well sort of).

Stressing how I can afford Christmas but will keep things to a bare minimum. My children have loads and will get given loads so Santa will have to be a tad tight this year! Cut back on who I buy for too and family/friends will be giving photo gifts to keep the costs down. Going on holiday in Spring so will tell OH that £40/£50 limit each as we don't need to give presents either.

See I am trying! Just hard having no money and making excuses but it will all even out once things are up and running. I don't go shopping often so no temptation and been saving up Amazon vouchers from surveys for presents

Sazzie23

Karen777 wrote: »

ForMySister - you are indeed marvellous. Agree with the others - if you can get your sister to give consent for companies to deal with you then you should be fine and can deal with her account while she recovers. Peaceful wishes to both of you.

Formysister is Being a sister in the true sense of the word methinks - and have you seen the mental health and debt guide from MSE, might have something useful to quote if any of the creditors give trouble?

Sazzie23

lewpster wrote: »

Hi everyone! Changed my user name so I can't be found so easily!!

All not too bad here. First SC payment goes out next week eek so I really am doing this. Tomorrow I get paid and can pay off my £200 overdraft as I am only making £10 token payments this month then I am raring to go(well sort of).

Stressing how I can afford Christmas but will keep things to a bare minimum. My children have loads and will get given loads so Santa will have to be a tad tight this year! Cut back on who I buy for too and family/friends will be giving photo gifts to keep the costs down. Going on holiday in Spring so will tell OH that £40/£50 limit each as we don't need to give presents either.

See I am trying! Just hard having no money and making excuses but it will all even out once things are up and running. I don't go shopping often so no temptation and been saving up Amazon vouchers from surveys for presents

Hi Lewpster, sounds you have a plan, would we remember you by another name or just making a new start ?

Kate_fixing_it

lewpster wrote: »

Hi everyone! Changed my user name so I can't be found so easily!!

All not too bad here. First SC payment goes out next week eek so I really am doing this. Tomorrow I get paid and can pay off my £200 overdraft as I am only making £10 token payments this month then I am raring to go(well sort of).

Stressing how I can afford Christmas but will keep things to a bare minimum. My children have loads and will get given loads so Santa will have to be a tad tight this year! Cut back on who I buy for too and family/friends will be giving photo gifts to keep the costs down. Going on holiday in Spring so will tell OH that £40/£50 limit each as we don't need to give presents either.

See I am trying! Just hard having no money and making excuses but it will all even out once things are up and running. I don't go shopping often so no temptation and been saving up Amazon vouchers from surveys for presents

Keep in mind that Black Friday has really taken off over here now, last year almost every gift was a Black Friday deal in this house! I believe that it all kicks off around 24th November and most online retailers take part. Amazon lightning deals take a bit of effort but the savings are huge if you were going to be buying it anyway (it's not a bargain if you weren't )

Also worth holding onto a little cash for January too, 3rd Wednesday is always the start of the Boots 70/75% off sale. I'm still using the stuff I bought last January and have a stash of expensive looking gifts tucked away in the loft.

Kate x

lewpster

Sazzie23 wrote: »

Hi Lewpster, sounds you have a plan, would we remember you by another name or just making a new start ?

I've only changed a few letters! Haha x

Growurown

Hi all, a bit of a DMP set back. OH hasn't been able to do the overtime he usually does that pays for Christmas, so some of that extra cash I was going to throw at the Hellifax on my new shiny self managed DMP, is going to be spent on the festivities as we have lots of family coming to us this year.

I am however going to try my best at keeping the spending to a minimum but OH may have other ideas. We have agreed with the family to do a maximum spend of no more than a tenner each on presents which will help, and everyone is contributing to the food and drink. Still looking on the positive side at least being self managed gives me that flexibility, and I am still on target to pay off the majority of my debt by this time next year. Would really love to get rid of the Hellifax though......