Trying Again

Pamela_Flitton

Hello
(Sorry I think this is going to be quite a long post).

I posted quite often here a year or two ago - under a different user name (& Pamela Flitton isn't my real name!). I had a DMP but only managed to keep it going for about 8 months. Since then I have split up from my partner & moved, resulting in higher outgoings.

I have realised (again) that I need to do something about my situation and have contacted PayPlan. After a phone call they have emailed me a draft proposal for payments. The monthly payments are large & I am afraid that the same thing is going to happen as last time i.e. that I won't be able to keep up with them.

Payplan have said that they can't take into account payments for broadband or for mobiles. I probably spend about £20 a month on my PAYG mobile & I can cut this down to £10 but I can't cut it down to nothing. I have a 12 month contract for my broadband which has another 11 months to run! My daughter & I both use the internet a lot - for work/school & leisure so I really don't want to give that up (& don't think I can anyway with the contract).

I am also not allowed to put aside any money for Xmas / birthdays. One of the reasons that my DMP went wrong last year was that it was my daughters birthday - we don't buy enormous presents in our family but it was a special birthday & I wanted to celebrate it. My generous brother paid for us to go out for a meal but I wanted to buy her something (which I did). These are the things that seem impossible to budget for when the DMP is so tight. It's my mothers 70th in a few weeks. She lives some distance away & it's going to cost me about £30 to get there - how do others deal with this type of thing / Christmas etc?

Is there any point in my going ahead with the DMP if I seem so negative about it? Payplan were lovely when I spoke to them but I'm not sure I can commit to 3 years of making the payments they suggest. Is there any room for negotiation or does this mean I haven't had my "lightbulb moment"?

I look forward to reading other's views.
Thanks
PF

SortingIt_2

Hello PF,

I understand where you are coming from here as I have just made my first payment to Payplan and have a strict budget. But, I want rid of my debt and the only way possible I can see me doing this is through a DMP. I guess you just have to weigh up what you want more.

I have opted for other ways to pay for things like bdays, christmas etc by e-baying, Avon on occassions, having budget weeks on weekly shop where I buy own brands and use everything in cupboards first before I do any shopping. These are just ideas but there really help and often add up to a reasonable amount to try and put by.

Maybe post up a full SOA see if we can't suggest other ways you can make savings. I suppose three years of budgeting will be worth it once you have all your debts cleared. Have you budgeted correctly with payplan ensuring that you cover for all bills etc and not leaving yourself short?? I know that I missed a few things on my budget and until payplan mentioned all of this to me I would have been struggling.

I wish you luck x

Imelda

Hello "Pamela"

Do you have an SOA? There is a sticky at the top of the of the debt free wannabee page

I am sure other people have been able to pay for phone/ internet whilst on a DMP....

GreyPilgrim

Hi Pam. Not really sure how DMP's work to be honest. Do you get to negotiate on what 'reasonable' payments are, or do they not give you much flexibility?

rayday2

You could do your own DMP if you think you understand enough which seeing as you spent 8 months on one you should!

If you are interested take a look on the National Debthelpline website they have a budget sheet, and also a booklet you can download which in it they tell you how much to allow for clothes, housekeeping etc per person.

Using both of these I do my own DMP and have always have done, its definately more flexible doing one yourself and will probably sort out all the negative feelings you have.

rayday2

Just on a sideline, I pay £20 into an ISA, save for Christmas pay £5 a month until childrens accounts and am able to feed, cloth, party and celebrate with 3 children!

Pamela_Flitton

Hi

Thanks for all your replies. I haven't got time to do a SOA at the moment as I am at work but I will try to do it & post it over the weekend.

It's true that I've got to decide what I want more - be debt free or not? I do want to be debt free but I find it really difficult to deal with the unexpected or unplanned for events on this type of budget. What happens if something breaks down & I have to buy a new one?

I realise I am whingeing & my situation is not as bad as others. I just don't want to start this and then fail again.

Thanks for the useful tips. Unfortunately I've sold nearly everthing on ebay already! :rotfl:

PF