DMP & Mutual Support Thread - Part 10

Ali80

tequilabird wrote: »

Omg just finally opened up to my mum about my debt. Told her everything. She's upset, disappointed and feel gutted that I've kept it all from her

Feeling blue

I totally empathise with you. It's such a burden to keep to yourself. I opened up to my sister and she was hugely supportive and non-judgemental. I could probably talk to my dad about my debt, but haven't since my mum is very much a "make do and mend" person who has never owed anybody anything and would not be able to comprehend the situation I've got myself into.

I was very emotional speaking to my sister about things but it was a relief to get it off my chest and she actually said "now I know why you're always so skint"!!, which took the pressure off me. I always think it will help if you can share your problems.

Your mum loves you and that is why she's so concerned, it will feel better to have shared it with her though so chin up , and good luck!

carlyfarley

Hi everyone,
I'm all set up online with Stepchange now, and have adjusted my increasing balances. I spoke to my first creditor today. It was HSBC and it wasn't scary at all. They say they haven't heard anything from stepchange but will freeze the accounts for 60 days.
Nice positive news ready for the weekend.
Have a good one everybody xx

Growurown

I increased payments to my creditors and one actually phoned me up to check that I could manage the payment and that all my priority debts were being covered! It's so nice to know they care.....

sourcrates

Growurown wrote: »

I increased payments to my creditors and one actually phoned me up to check that I could manage the payment and that all my priority debts were being covered! It's so nice to know they care.....

They have had to clean up there act after having ther knuckles rapped by the FCA, if they think you have borrowed the money to pay the debt, for example, by getting a payday loan, they are not allowed to accept it, and must back off, which is nice !!!!

tequilabird

Thanks for all your messages guys!

My mum has actually been really good about it. She's just worried and wants to help, but I got myself in this mess and I'll get myself out of it!

It was really hard to do, but needed to be done and I really do feel more relieved than anything else even though I know she was a bit upset that i was in the mess that I am. I've explained everything about what I've been advised and the support that it available through this forum so she seems a bit more at ease now.

Fingers crossed I can sort this DMP out now and get on track to being debt free! x

Sazzie23

tequilabird wrote: »

Omg just finally opened up to my mum about my debt. Told her everything. She's upset, disappointed and feel gutted that I've kept it all from her

Feeling blue

Well done for sharing it with her, she'll probably be as upset that you hadn't told her more than the actual debt issue. Its very brave of you tell her, and shows your mature attitude to your problems.

debtfreedesciple wrote: »

£33,000 unsecured debt, I thought it was around £20,000, what an earth shattering shock when I found out the true amount. I felt sick and downright ashamed.
Now I have sorted my DMP out, I feel like a weight has been lifted.
They say it may affect your credit rating...I never want to go near any credit again!
From now on, if I can't afford it, I don't have it. Cash all the way.
DFD January 2020, sooner though if I have my way.

Oh that brings back memories, my about £20K turned into about £32k in reality, and yes is was an awful fright, but as you read here, not unusual. But ....how much better it is to know there are no more nasty surprises.

Growurown wrote: »

I increased payments to my creditors and one actually phoned me up to check that I could manage the payment and that all my priority debts were being covered! It's so nice to know they care.....

Agree with Sourcrates, I have had to cut a payment to my secured loan whilst I sort out the finance issue, they were very insistent I explained where I was finding the money from for my part-payment (my emergency fund), I suspect the FOS have played a big part in changes of attitude.

But great news you've increased payments...that means DFD is getting closer :beer: remind me did you go self-managed this year...how is it going now?

catandy

I'm doing the self managed route for dmp and I pop back here occasionally for inspiration/ info and just to see how people are getting on. I think I need to be 'popping' a bit more often - I've got myself into a real downer with feeling like this is going to be my life forever more and there is no way im ever going to repay this debt, reading all the posts on here its bucked me up a bit and now im ready to just plod on and get it done. thanks for the dose of realism and 'get on with it' exactly what I needed

manuelthecat

Time_to_face_the_music wrote: »

Hi manuelthecat and welcome :hello:

Have you made complaints to the creditors still charging interest and then followed this up with the FOS? If not, now is the time to do it. If you need help with this, just shout out and we can provide you with a template letter and contact details for FOS.

If you are being charged interest, it's important to update your Stepchange figures online to make sure your information is always accurate. You can check this each month against your creditor statements and amend the figures to ensure they match.

If you don't already have it, Noddle is a free service which let's you check your credit report and is a double check that all the numbers add up correctly.

TTFTM x

Hey TTFTM

Thank you for the really helpful post

I have just been on to Noddle (its brilliant - and free!) and some of the figures are wrong. I have updated it on my DMP with Stepchange and my DF date has been put back a month which is not too bad.


I will write to those creditors that are still charging interest and see if they will freeze it. I have managed to find the template letter I need to send but cheers for offering to provide it for me. I will let you know how I get on!

Ive just noticed that on the Noddle report that there was a couple of late payment fees(!) I think I need to bring this to Stepchange's attention as I don't know why the payment has gone out late? Not sure if anything can be done about it either?

Its interesting to note my credit score is pretty much the same as it was when I first started the DMP despite me now having two defaults. Even though I had never missed a payment before the DMP, the fact that I was not paying the debt off meant that my credit rating had got a hammering so it goes to show that even when you are keeping to the minimum payments and not breaking any contracts, you still get a bad rating which doesn't seem all that fair to me but hey ho .... x

Sazzie23

manuelthecat wrote: »

Hey TTFTM

Thank you for the really helpful post

I have just been on to Noddle (its brilliant - and free!) and some of the figures are wrong. I have updated it on my DMP with Stepchange and my DF date has been put back a month which is not too bad.


I will write to those creditors that are still charging interest and see if they will freeze it. I have managed to find the template letter I need to send but cheers for offering to provide it for me. I will let you know how I get on!

Ive just noticed that on the Noddle report that there was a couple of late payment fees(!) I think I need to bring this to Stepchange's attention as I don't know why the payment has gone out late? Not sure if anything can be done about it either?

Its interesting to note my credit score is pretty much the same as it was when I first started the DMP despite me now having two defaults. Even though I had never missed a payment before the DMP, the fact that I was not paying the debt off meant that my credit rating had got a hammering so it goes to show that even when you are keeping to the minimum payments and not breaking any contracts, you still get a bad rating which doesn't seem all that fair to me but hey ho .... x

Hi Manuel and welcome, TTFTM always has great advice :T

The point you make about credit scores is very true and relevant. quite a few DMPers have said they put it off trying to save their credit rating, well the news is : sadly it's probably already plummeting.:eek:


On another note came across this article about PDL and how they've been dealing with customers in trouble, thought some might find it interesting and relevant
http://www.moneywise.co.uk/news/2015-03-10/payday-loan-firms-failing-customers-arrears?utm_source=Newsletter2015-03-13&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ContentPromotion

NewcastlePaul

Hello everyone. Hope you're well.
Big moment next month when after 10 years on the DMP the total outstanding finally drops below 50k !!!

PPI journey is just about done and now I have just made F&F offers to all my creditors so remaining 9 years until Debt free are probably going to be 4 years max !!

It's great to see new people posting with stories of opening up and contacting Stepchange etc. I promise it does get easier. After all these years I barely hear from Creditors.

If you are reading this thread and feel alone, you're not.
Tell someone about your debt and take the first steps to getting your life and finances back on track. It does get easier