DMP & Mutual Support Thread - Part 10

james_joyce

Hi all, so I cancelled my Hitachi direct debit after my January 26 payment. I sent their first cheque yesterday and by an amazing coincidence they texted me today to say my direct debit instruction had been ended and asking me to ring them. Shall I bother or just wait for them to ring me?

Thanks
James

moneyworrier89

Hi all sorry I havent posted much not had time to get to a pc. Hello to everyone else who is starting their DMP journey too everyone on here has been fantastic and very supportive.

So DMP news. I have had my repayment agreement agreed by by both Zopa and Vanquis. Other creditors are still awaiting paperwork, Stepchange sent the documents off two weeks ago. Did it take a while for other people?

Thanks xx

Ali80

Hi everyone,

I've been a bit of a lurker for the last fortnight and just wanted to thank everyone that posts on here, your stories and advice are a great comfort and support to people who like me, are struggling with their debt and are at a loss of where to turn.

Feeling ashamed and helpless, along with the sleepless nights have been a struggle for me for quite a few months (if not years).

I started to get into debt about 6 years ago when I moved house and my partner was made redundant. It was just too convenient to use credit to pay for household goods and essentials. Feel a bit daft now really and wish I had gone without instead.

I filled in the StepChange debt remedy a few weeks ago and haven't really looked back. I have a new basic bank account, am paying token payments to creditors and my DMP is due to start on April 1st (for fools, I know!).

I am a little scared of what's to come, particularly nasty letters/phone calls, although a lovely man (Jonathan) from StepChange told me today that most letters can be totally ignored and that crediors can only have what I can afford. I was also worried about bailiffs but was told that DCAs are not bailiffs and have no right to enter your property etc. Is this right?

Anyhow, I just wanted to share a few thoughts and although I'm not overjoyed at being on a DMP I'm hoping things will be looking up in a few months.

Ali

SquirrelNuts

Ali80 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I've been a bit of a lurker for the last fortnight and just wanted to thank everyone that posts on here, your stories and advice are a great comfort and support to people who like me, are struggling with their debt and are at a loss of where to turn.

Feeling ashamed and helpless, along with the sleepless nights have been a struggle for me for quite a few months (if not years).

I started to get into debt about 6 years ago when I moved house and my partner was made redundant. It was just too convenient to use credit to pay for household goods and essentials. Feel a bit daft now really and wish I had gone without instead.

I filled in the StepChange debt remedy a few weeks ago and haven't really looked back. I have a new basic bank account, am paying token payments to creditors and my DMP is due to start on April 1st (for fools, I know!).

I am a little scared of what's to come, particularly nasty letters/phone calls, although a lovely man (Jonathan) from StepChange told me today that most letters can be totally ignored and that crediors can only have what I can afford. I was also worried about bailiffs but was told that DCAs are not bailiffs and have no right to enter your property etc. Is this right?

Anyhow, I just wanted to share a few thoughts and although I'm not overjoyed at being on a DMP I'm hoping things will be looking up in a few months.

Ali

Hi Ali,

Welcome to the gang! :T

It's well worth pulling up a comfy chair and reading this thread from the start - its amazing what you will learn about DMPs and what to expect from Creditors.

Stepchange are absolutely right, DCAs have no more rights to enter people's properties as you or I. There is a letter template knocking around that explicitly removes permission to enter your land if it comes to it, but it's incredibly unlikely that anybody will even try visiting.

More likely is that you will get a few phone calls and letters whilst things settle down, but it wont be anything as bad as you fear. Personally I found all of the creditors that I talked to pleasant, understanding of my situation and willing to help.

Just have your Stepchange ref to hand to quote on any phone calls, and generally their response will be to put the account on hold for a month or so to get the paperwork sorted out...

cheers
Squiz

SquirrelNuts

moneyworrier89 wrote: »

Hi all sorry I havent posted much not had time to get to a pc. Hello to everyone else who is starting their DMP journey too everyone on here has been fantastic and very supportive.

So DMP news. I have had my repayment agreement agreed by by both Zopa and Vanquis. Other creditors are still awaiting paperwork, Stepchange sent the documents off two weeks ago. Did it take a while for other people?

Thanks xx

Hi MW

Glad to hear things are settling into place!

It can take a while for the paperwork to worm its way through various departments until it lands on the right desk - longest of my creditors took almost 3 months to acknowledge the DMP.

It dawned on me that when creditors say they haven't received the paperwork, what they really mean is that they cant see anything on their PC screen... not that the paperwork hasn't arrived!!

They'll get there eventually, just give 'em time...

Squiz

Time_to_face_the_music

SquirrelNuts wrote: »

It can take a while for the paperwork to worm its way through various departments until it lands on the right desk - longest of my creditors took almost 3 months to acknowledge the DMP.

We are 3 years in this week with 1 from original 11 creditors remaining and am still waiting for some of them to acknowledge our DMP! :rotfl:

TTFTM x

SquirrelNuts

Time_to_face_the_music wrote: »

We are 3 years in this week with 1 from original 11 creditors remaining and am still waiting for some of them to acknowledge our DMP! :rotfl:

TTFTM x

lol! ok... you hold the record!!!

phoenixx

Hi all

Well, another day, another dollar as they say! Working hard (11 hours today) but while I'm working I'm not spending - yay! Santander will be gone by end of the month and Natwest by end of March is the goal! Welcome all you new DMPers - reckon we are half way through ours now. Long haul but hopefully over the hump. Loads of great advice and support on here and you can be honest without fear of judgement.

ailz95

Quote:
Originally Posted by fermi View Post
----> http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...95&postcount=6
Congrats Sazzie, your are the star of January!

Congrats from me too Sazzie

supersavershal

Hi all, not been on for a while. Ive just done my review with stepchange!
Ive been on my DMP for two years, last year I increased my payment by 50 pounds but found it really hard paying 950 pounds a month. This review I did it all exactly as paid, no estimates and now its telling me my payment is now 820 pounds a month and my DMP will take an extra 8 months.
I am so torn as I was finding it difficult, working many extra shifts and feeling exhausted just to make the payment. But now Im really worried my creditors will kick up a fuss and all the telephone calls will start again.
Im not so worried about it taking longer as I have a secured loan of 355 pounds a month that has 18 months to run then I will either save for full and finals or add to my monthly payment.
I am so scared right now not sure I will sleep tonight.
Has anyone else had to reduce their payment and what happened?