struggle at dmp start

rayday2

poptart1 wrote: »

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

Just a couple of questions I have a couple of alarm bells ringing you can tell me to away if you like!

Did you set your budget or did a company? Reason I ask is that I very nearly entered a DMP with a company rather than one of the charities CCCS and Payplan and they were very reasurring on the phone and I thought great. But my husband sat down and pointed out it was still not a "liveable" budget and we had not even thought about Christmas and stuff.

So we didn't go with that company and it turned out I was wise not too, they made out they were fee free but that only meant I did not pay them but they still took a little cut hence they were keen I paid more out each month.

If this sounds like your case it is not too late to go with a charity please do not be frightened to change your mind it is critical you get a comfortable DMP and a charity will encourage you to make sure you have thought about everything in your budget the whole point of DMP is to make life liveable again. I do not struggle at all now we even have two ISA's

Remember if you don't keep up DMP payments you can end up with CCJs but you are early days so if you want to change your mind do it now!

poptart1_2

you are all stars , you have cheered me up, my utilities sky rocketed just before last xmas but have decreased slightly due to fuel cost reductions ,problem is everything increased..my rent ,community charge just like everyone else but no wage rise and as a work for the council we are set for a series of indusrial action through the winter as they are only offering a measly 2% that means an extra 12p per hour, so I will have to join this action.I have got used to using credit cards for years and am finding it tough
not having it to fall back on, but I am getting there, just the sight of one now makes me feel sick.Mine are all hidden away ( I know I cant use them anyway) but one day soon I am going to cut them up in front of my sons and tell them my story and I think it will be the most important lesson they will ever learn. CREDIT CARDS ARE CRAP.

trying-very-trying

Rayday2, I could be wrong, but in an earlier thread poptart was saying that she had filled out the forms for CCCS.

rayday2

Hey my electric is £74 a month - ssh don't tell any of the really good SOA people on here they would shoot me lol

Know what you mean about the council I am about to get my pay restructuring only waited 3 years we are not allowed to strike though or rather I don't agree with it personally I work with disabled young people and they do not understand.

Anyway I digress! Did you post an SOA yourself (if you are brave enough!) to see if anyone can see some cutbacks for you or is it just this month you are finding tough?

rayday2

trying-very-trying wrote: »

Rayday2, I could be wrong, but in an earlier thread poptart was saying that she had filled out the forms for CCCS.

Its more likely to be me wrong names don't stick with stories - sorry!

trying-very-trying

Rayday, do have gas as well as your electric?

rayday2

Erm I have gas but its not very effective, we only have two radiators downstairs so that does not heat enough so we use oil filed radiator on a timer I unplugged it in April though. We cook all with electric, weather this summer has been pants and we have 5 in the house so had to use tumble more than I like.

That and Npower underestimated and missed a month through a glitch or something so hopefully when we have paid the £200 defacit we should be able to change but we are a mainly electric house it is fair to say. I use energy bulbs, TFT monitors etc so I am trying!

trying-very-trying

Thanks rayday, that makes me feel better.

spud30

I just heard myself telling the kids it was like Blackpool Illuminations in here

I try so hard with the leccy, then fall asleep in bed with the telly on :rotfl:

rayday2

LOL I thought you were going to slap my wrists for high bills!

Is yours just as high then?