Time to change I think

squirrel_pigeon

Hi guys

I've been a regular viewer of this forum but haven't posted before. The reason I am doing so now is because I would appreciate some opinions on my situation if that's ok? (I'm actually really nervous to be posting ).

I work for a well known debt counselling charity but typically am better at helping other people than sorting myself out! After splitting up with my OH in May I couldn't maintain my payments to my debts (only about £10k but feels like more) and finally in September swallowed my stupid pride and started a DMP with my workplace.

Being on a staff DMP has started to make me uncomfortable as I am acutely aware that my friends (and more to the point, some ex-friends) have access to my details.

SO as much as I feel disloyal, I have an appointment with Payplan tonight to see if I can go on a DMP with them. This will hopefully take away the nagging feeling I have that some people know more about me than they should.

Having done my budget again (following a small pay rise) I reckon I can be debt free in less than 5 years. I just need someone to help me do this as I don't feel I am disciplined enough to self-administer.

Anyway - to the point of my post. I am wondering if anybody has any advice about Payplan. How have you found them to be when dealing with them? I would have spoken to National Debtline but know that their DMPs are dealt with by my present company.

Any help or advice would be really appreciated. Thanks for reading

Homework

Payplan are great, they will help you every step of the way and take the pressure off. They will contact your creditors, give you a budget and take your payment once a month and pass it on with no problems.

Get onto a plan you are comfortable with and you will feel much better in yourself. Hope it goes well

mrsspendalot

Hiya and welcome!

I have no personal experience of the debt help charities, as I did a self-DMP and had some help from the CAB initially. Payplan seem to be good though from opinions expressed on here, so good luck xxx

floss2

Again, I have no first hand knowledge, but I understand Payplan & CCCS are charge-free DMP's - and every little helps when paying things off!

I think you are making a wise move - when you've transferred, can you ask for your records to be destroyed, so you know nobody can access them?

elantan

i can totally see where your coming from and agree with you although things are meant to be confidential in reality this rarely happens ...i have no knowledge of payplan or anyone else but just wanted to add my support that i think you are doing the right thing good luck

squirrel_pigeon

Thanks everyone. I feel more settled anyway knowing that I am speaking to Payplan but your comments have helped too.

Floss - I think that they have to keep the records for 2 years in case there is a DSA request.

Now I have taken the plunge and posted no doubt I'll be posting again too

squirrel_pigeon

Have had my appointment with Payplan. The budget is different to what I'm used to but the outcome has been the same. The counsellor was lovely and I feel much happier.I'm going to email the team leader dealing with staff DMPs tomorrow and say that I want to close the DMP. I'm gonna make token payments this month and send a letter to everyone saying that Payplan are taking over.Wish I didn't have to do this cos I feel so disloyal. I'm also going to see if i can have a list of all the people who have gone into my account. At least that way i will know if my fears have been justified.