DMP restrictions

P_W_2

When you are on a dmp can you or have you had spare cash for holidays and things by saving up for them or is there any restrictions that say you cant.

sorry if this is a silly question

greytdog_2

from my own experience there is either very little or no spare cash and no you are not allowed anything a month for holiday and savings, unless you can save it out of you other expenses like you food bill or similar or the misc/disc expenses allowance.

newlywed

You are expected to save for some things - eg car tax and a small amount each month for car servicing.

But if you have monies over, eg you don't spend your full food allowance, or don't buy any clothes for a few months, then there is no reason why you can't save it up for any emergencies or unforseen expenses. They don't check your bank balance

You do agree not to take on any more debt when on a DMP so can't use the catalogue accounts, overdraft etc.

CCCS also allow a small amount each month for "emergencies" which you can save up for anything that comes up.

We recently went to stay with friends in self catering accommodation (UK) and I used money allocated to prescriptions, clothes, hobbies, gas (prepayment and heating isn't on yet). It was a very cheap holiday (friends paid for the accommodation) but did stretch us, and now I have no emergency funds for any car issues.

If you do have a large excess every month though, it might be an idea to increase your debt plan payments so that you can be debt free quicker

P_W_2

hI newlywed
how did the review go the other day
Regards
P W

newlywed

P_W wrote: »

hI newlywed
how did the review go the other day
Regards
P W

Erm yes - haven't rung them yet - on my to do list!!!

bowz25

hi
have been in dmp for nearly 6 months now.
We are finding it difficult with new budget, although we did go camping for few days (borrowed some stuff to do this ) enjoyed it.
It is best to cut back on other things from the budget like others have said, although ours is a tight budget anyway as we owe a lot and want to pay it off as quick as we can.
Our car has just failed mot which was £40 in itself, the repairs for the car are going to be about £400. (never had to spend that much on car before, typical now we are in dmp the car costs this much to repair (needs new petrol tank,brake pipes. I am having to sorn the car until we can afford to save for the repairs, i have never done this before either in 15 years of driving. I am having my 6 month review tomm with cccs so will ask their advice on this. Also my oven element has gone and i have been without oven for about 2 months. (something good must happen soon).
I would still recommend a dmp as a way forward as both hubby and myself discuss money together now and i feel it has brought us closer together and whilst we both regret using credit cards and feel sometimes we have let our children down, we can only deal with what has happened and we felt the best way was on dmp.

It makes you realise how much money was wasted before life on dmp.
take care all
bye for now.

MadDogWoman_2

Hi PW

I'm on a DMP with CCCS.

This year we had a cheap self catering holiday in Norfolk, we paid for this out of my DH's overtime from last summer.

Next year though I'm not sure about as I've been on Maternity Leave for most of this year so we've used DH's overtime for survival.

MDW