struggle at dmp start

poptart1_2

Has anyone else struggled at the start of their dmp ? or is it just me ?
Have sent my 1st dmp payment but I am now short of funds because foolishly I paid my creditors all but one this months payment. STUPID or what?
I thought I would be able to keep paying minimum payments to them then had my LIGHTBULB moment !!!!! If you have been in my shoes (i hope youre not!) did it all even out after a while ?
Thoughts and inspiration required here PLEASE

trying-very-trying

Yeah, I found it a bit of a problem. I only started my dmp this this month, and I knew I would be struggling to get the money for the first payment, so I didn't pay any of my creditors in July. I thought it would be really hard trying to live on the budget cccs gave me, but hey I've managed to get through this month, and it looks like I might stay within my budget, so it can only get easier. My worry now is what happens if the creditors don't accept the new payment. I've had very little correspondence from any of my creditors though, so fingers crossed it will work out.

purpledelly

I know how you're feeling and I'm 3 years into our DMP, so I can tell you it will get easier. I couldn't believe we could live on what the CCCS left us, but we did. It was a struggle at first, but eventually we found ways of beng creative with money - and boy how I wish we'd found this site back then!

For example, I managed to make the shopping money go further in order to save a bit of it to one side, then use the surplus for a little treat after a few weeks. Also selling things on eBay helps and using the cash to either snowball some debts or simply treat yourself.

You may be in a pickle and feel you aren't allowed treats, but when you've a long DMP stretching ahead of you, you do need something in life to look forward to.

It's a shame you paid the creditors AND the DMP this month but just think of it as a hiccup and move forward.... tighten belts as much as you can this month to compensate and then you'll be on track next month.

Keep talking to the CCCS - they are excellent and understanding and if you're struggling they will advise how they can help you juggle things to make ends meet better.

Good luck

poptart1_2

good luck with your dmp, let me know how it works out .nice to know i am not alone xxxxxxxxxx

spud30

Have you tried calling your DMP company to explain what you have done?

The first thing CCCS told me, even before my proper appointment, was to cancel direct debits to creditors immediately.

Who is your DMP with?

poptart1_2

It is my own fault that I paid my creditors this month and started the dmp, I was not thinking straight, panicing, very scared and depressed. I wanted to get the ball rolling and was trying to do it without my oh knowing but I had to tell him ,he has been fab about it, but dosent know how much or to whom I owe. I have cancelled the DD for the next payments and all the creditors are now aware of my situation. I am awaiting their decision (scary times), I suppose it will pan out over the next couple of months but I am just paranoid at the moment. I am getting obessed with money or the lack of it lol.
I am with a not for profit company

spud30

Pop,

I promise you it will get easier.

I had my first CCCS review yesterday, my DMP started a year ago. The first month or so isnt easy, I would be lying if I said it was, but it soon settles down.

Well done on telling your OH - we've always had joint finances, so I never had to do that.

rayday2

I was very naughty with my DMP I made out all the children stayed school dinners we took public transport to work anything to make the outgoings a little bigger to give me a little more comfort. It is hard and quite frightening that you do not have any emergency cc to fall back on but you learn.

If your budget is not right you must talk to CCCS because the one thing you cannot do is not pay on a DMP!

spud30

rayday2 wrote: »

I was very naughty with my DMP I made out all the children stayed school dinners we took public transport to work anything to make the outgoings a little bigger to give me a little more comfort. It is hard and quite frightening that you do not have any emergency cc to fall back on but you learn.

If your budget is not right you must talk to CCCS because the one thing you cannot do is not pay on a DMP!

CCCS are really good with budgets though arent they.

In my review yesterday, the lad commented on how much I had managed to reduce my gas bill, compared to last year. I have turned the water off constant, and have it on just an hour a day. I joked with the lad how much money you can save by wrapping up in a blanket to keep warm, but he was really worried about me, thought I was being serious :rotfl:

rayday2

Bless him, seriously though I bet they have had people to scarred to heat there homes and eat properly. You probably set his alarm bells ringing if you get up and see a food parcel you know where it came from

spud30

rayday2 wrote: »

Bless him, seriously though I bet they have had people to scarred to heat there homes and eat properly. You probably set his alarm bells ringing if you get up and see a food parcel you know where it came from

He was lovely.

I do actually put a woolly on now, where as before I would've just automatically put the heating on, but we're not going to freeze or starve. I've cut the bill from £72pm to £21, I'm dead proud of meself.

My worst habit is turning lights out, I'm obsessed. I turn a light out in a room, and my hubby says 'ohhh I've finished in there, have I'

I also added a bit onto some bills, my fear is the mortgage going up too much as our fixed rate finished last year.