Considering DMP - SOA advice please

AliceBanned

I'm having a panic. I decided not to borrow more but I can't get through this month. The overpayment from my rent and service charge hasn't been repaid yet. Grrr.

I had a text from my bank (current account) saying I am £30 overdrawn and asked me to call them. When I called them they just stressed me out as the reason for calling was 'to make sure everything was alright'. I got really wound up as my battery was low and I was trying to rush to the bank at lunch time to withdraw money from my credit card to put into the current account, but I got freaked out and confused and have no pin no. for credit card. I can't log on online and got another call centre saying ridiculous things, like I can do a 0% balance transfer on that card and when I asked how much they said '£19'. How ludicrous.

Just stressed with it all and without some kind of short term loan not sure how to get to work after this week.

What happens if I can't repay the £30 and put my current account in the black? I suppose it depends on the bank but I said to them no need to ask me to call them like it's the headmaster's office. I found it annoying. I already know I'm overdrawn, they sent me a text. but asking me to call them?!! I know they are within their rights but I feel stressed and I can't do anything about it immediately. Maybe tomorrow. I feel bad enough already without being told to call them. It's so upsetting but I know it is my own doing. I am just not in a better place yet.

rockm87

...and breathe in.......and out....oooooooooooo......

It's ok, you've done the right thing in calling them, and by not using further borrowing. no one said this would be easy....let....the...stress....drain....


Is there anything you can sell? to make up the difference? charge your phone, and yourself (cuppa tea?) and see what you can do...by not using debt it may feel stressful now, but you are saving yourself future stress.

AliceBanned

Thank you.

I forgot to bring my charger and the phone is so rubbish, it is now dead.

I can make a cup of tea though.

Nothing I can sell. I can withdraw on my cc tomorrow when I work out how to get online to check the PIN. I keep mixing up passwords etc as I have two cap one cards. I have a total mental block at the moment, it is so upsetting. i hate flying off the handle at the person on the phone but he said I was asked to call to see whether they could help and I said 'well obviously at the mo my overdraft isn't big enough'. It is £500. But you are right, it should get easier - but messier to start with.

What happens if I leave it? What happens if I can't do it? What is the point in them getting me running round calling them?! This was my point to them. I KNOW it's overdrawn!! duh if I had the money it wouldn't be.

AliceBanned

OMG!!!:j

The rent reimbursement has gone into my other account, so I can transfer across!!

I checked it this morning and it wasn't there. Such great timing!

AliceBanned

Thanks for the advice rockm87. I am going to try and get to payday without using any of the credit cards - 25th September. I had a few loan payments this month and also next month, so I need to keep mega-scrimping for a while, then hopefully this will stop happening.

asparagus1968

Oh bless you, what a day!
So, have you now got the reimbursement in the right account? that will help avoid over-the-overdraft charges


So, 10 days until you get paid? Exactly how much money do you need until then? How much have you got?


do a meal plan to last the 10 days if poss ( I've had two teas of (29p a kg bag at aldi) pasta cooked in a stock cube this week:( )


you will feel so fab if you don't use the CC's ....

LittleDutchgirl

Hi Alice
Sorry to hear you are having a stressful day. I think everyone has a couple of tough months at the start of their debt free journey. I know I did. I ate some really boring dinners and discovered that just because a tin has an expiry date of a couple of years ago doesn't mean it isn't OK to eat. It will be hard but if you get to payday without putting anything on a card you'll feel a sense of accomplishment and next month it'll be easier.
When I started out I checked all the utility companies for over payments and discovered my employer did season ticket loans for my bus pass. I wrote to banks and credit card companies (because I couldn't face the random responses you get if you phone) and got late fees and interest refunded. I think that most places will do this once a year or so and especially if you've just dipped into your overdraft for a day or so. As I got more of a handle on my money and where it went it all got a lot easier and things became habits that I don't think about any more.
So stay calm and I promise it'll be worth it in the end.
Hugs
LDg

rockm87

that's great!

If possible can you get rid of your overdraft?

If you have an overdrawn balance, I would get another basic bank account for your wages to be paid into and treat your overdraft like another debt, making a small contribution monthly.

This was the only way I got ahead when I first started, and it really helped!

AliceBanned

Wow, thanks asparagus! I have enough food for a few days - well if I cook quite creatively.

I have discovered some great dishes since I have been emptying my storecupboard/freezer instead of buying more food.. . One was a crumble made from fresh raspberries and frozen blueberries, some oats, butter and sugar and served with plain yoghurt. Tasted amazing, much better than an apple crumble and I would never have got round to using those blueberries in the freezer.

Thanks for the words of encouragement as it is so demoralising at times like this and I have to remind myself to get out of the borrowing cycle.

I need £60 to cover travel to work until next payday. I may have to put £20 on my cc but at least I won't be withdrawing cc money to pay another one, which I have done a few times.

I also paid £330 in loans this month - all to credit unions. So makes sense that I have nothing left! Next month will be tough too but I've stuck to my plan of not using the train (3.5 hours' travelling a day instead by car, tube and walking) and not putting the heating on. I said until October but at this rate I think I could extend it until November. Quite enjoy the challenges once I got started. Today I thought I was slipping and getting into a crazy state so I appreciate all the supportive comments. Easy to blame myself for being in a mess and start thinking I'm going crazy..

AliceBanned

LittleDutchgirl wrote: »

Hi Alice
Sorry to hear you are having a stressful day. I think everyone has a couple of tough months at the start of their debt free journey. I know I did. I ate some really boring dinners and discovered that just because a tin has an expiry date of a couple of years ago doesn't mean it isn't OK to eat. It will be hard but if you get to payday without putting anything on a card you'll feel a sense of accomplishment and next month it'll be easier.
When I started out I checked all the utility companies for over payments and discovered my employer did season ticket loans for my bus pass. I wrote to banks and credit card companies (because I couldn't face the random responses you get if you phone) and got late fees and interest refunded. I think that most places will do this once a year or so and especially if you've just dipped into your overdraft for a day or so. As I got more of a handle on my money and where it went it all got a lot easier and things became habits that I don't think about any more.
So stay calm and I promise it'll be worth it in the end.
Hugs
LDg

Thanks Little DutchGirl. Is it still possible to get cc interest refunded? I've done it in the past but this is just normal interest, not defaults. I haven't done it for a few years, since Martin first reported on it.

Thanks for keeping me going.:A