I think it is time!

serena

There are loads of reasons to give up - why not create a fancy poster of them and stick it somewhere prominent? Do a miniature version to keep in a pocket, and pull out every time you have a craving.

Tell everyone you know that you've given up!

Plan yourself a treat to buy with the money you have saved - lovely face cream, a perfume etc. You deserve a reward! (But don't go mad, a week at a spa can wait!)

Change daily habits - if you always had a cigarette with a coffee, then change to herbal tea, or have a coffee out - you can't smoke in cafes. Don't go places you used to smoke (easier now than when I quit). The hardest bit is avoiding friends who still smoke. Try cleaning your teeth instead of having a cigarette (this works when I'm trying to stick to no nibbling biscuits and sweets too).

And of course, you are going to have to own up to us all on here if you have a little lapse!

Heffi1

serena wrote: »

There are loads of reasons to give up - why not create a fancy poster of them and stick it somewhere prominent? Do a miniature version to keep in a pocket, and pull out every time you have a craving.

Tell everyone you know that you've given up!

Plan yourself a treat to buy with the money you have saved - lovely face cream, a perfume etc. You deserve a reward! (But don't go mad, a week at a spa can wait!)

Change daily habits - if you always had a cigarette with a coffee, then change to herbal tea, or have a coffee out - you can't smoke in cafes. Don't go places you used to smoke (easier now than when I quit). The hardest bit is avoiding friends who still smoke. Try cleaning your teeth instead of having a cigarette (this works when I'm trying to stick to no nibbling biscuits and sweets too).

And of course, you are going to have to own up to us all on here if you have a little lapse!

Thanks very much Serena, I will take a closer look tomorrow at your advice for now can I wish everybody a happy 2008 and hope your debt decreases and your confidence grows

Heather.

Heffi1

Well just what was I thinking this morning, I got through an advert from the AA to apply for a loan and I thought (mistakenly) that it would ease the situation. Well I called them and they said no - no surprise there you might think. They put me through to one of their other options and because the situation at home is not normal - i.e we bought my mum and dads council house but in their name they guy on the phone could not offer me anything and said I would get a call back in 24 hours. stupid stupid!!! :mad:

I then made a call to CCCS and have an appointment on Friday morning to talk through all of my debt and I do feel a bit better about it.

My question is what do I need to do before the call on Friday, does anyone have any advice for me please? apart from telling me I am stupid for trying for another loan to consolidate - I have read time and again the lovely people on here saying no to consolidation, but yet again I did not listen and looked for the easy way out.

Why will I not listen.

Sorry to ramble on I need to get this down in writing so that I can look back in time and see how silly I can be where debts are concerned and it will be a reminder as to how I got myself in this mess to start with. :mad:

Heffi1

Because of my moment of madness the other day, I have had a telephone interview with CCCS this morning and what an absolute revelation. They are the kindest people in the world and talk things through in the clearest possible terms and there is no jargon to try and understand :T

I feel so much more positive today, I have decided with their help that a DMP will be the best option for me and the paperwork is on the way.

What a relief to know I am going to get this sorted out and not have to struggle on as before. I can actually have money for shopping for the first time in ages. I will get over to the old style board for hints and tips as well. :j

Heffi1

Well, it has been a long time since I updated this thread so here goes. The DMP is up and running and funny thing is I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I will be debt free in 10 years, :eek: unless I pull my finger out.

I have just got off the phone to GE Money (Debenhams) and to be honest the bloke was really nice. He confirmed that they will freeze the (29.9%) interest and take off the accident cover so that means all of the money will now come off the total. What a relief. Capital One have frozen the interest so that is good. While talking the man from GE he asked if I had thought about consolidating :rotfl:, after I told him that I did not want nor could I get another loan in order to pay interest on the interest he went on to say that he was actually taking about an IVA. I am so glad I have visited here so often as I knew what he was on about long before he said it. And I turned it down. I said I would see how the DMP went and then re think things if it all went a bit wonky.

I think he was reading off a script, but it made me think how many others would be encouraged to take another option.

Oh well I feel a bit better about it all now. Here's to the next 10 years. shorter if I have my way though. :rotfl:

Heather.

angelavdavis

Hi Heather

Glad everything has been going well for you. It must be such a relief for you.

Well done for sticking with it. You will get there.

Frightening that companies just attempt to push people down the IVA route - even when it is clear that your DMP has only just commenced. All money for the credit companies I am afraid. At least you went in with open eyes. Well done

Heffi1

Thanks Angeldavis,

I promised myself I would update regularly on here - that is part of the problem I think, I make all these promises to myself and do not carry them out

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1196
Expenses (including secure debts)....... 696.85
Available for debt repayments........... 499.15
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 191
Surplus(deficit if negative)............ 308.15

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 5000
(Assets less secured debt).............. 5000
Total liabilities(what you owe)......... 22906
Personal net worth...................... -17906

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 1196
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 1196

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secure loan repayments.................. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold flat)...... 0
Council tax............................. 0
Electricity............................. 0
Gas..................................... 0
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 30
TV Licence.............................. 0
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 250
Clothing................................ 10
Haircuts................................ 20
Entertainment........................... 0
Petrol/diesel........................... 160
Road tax................................ 30
Car Insurance........................... 40
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 10
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 6.85
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 20
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 20
Cigarettes ........................... 100
Total monthly expenses.................. 696.85

Secure Debts
Description.................Debt...Monthly...APR
Mortgage....................0..(0)....N/A
Total secured debts.........0....N/A.....N/A

Unsecured Debts
Description.................Debt...Monthly...APR
CCCS........................22906.....191.....0
Total unsecured debts.......22906...191....N/A

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 5000
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 5000

Created using the SOA calculator at www.makesenseofcards.com.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission.

an updated SOA I am sure I have missed a few things off, but it makes sense to see where I am going (wrong!) and try to get some perspective back again.

Sorry to keep on moaning and before anyone asks no I have not given up the fags yet I will keep trying though.

Heffi1

one more thing I forgot to add, I got myself a new shiny folder with all of the debts I owe separated out into company name and now when the phone goes I can get the folder and have all of the information together in one place...instead of hunting through the filing cabinet and keeping people on the phone for any longer than is absolutely necessary.

I really should have done this ages ago, but now it is done it is so much more manageable for me.

Heather.

Keeping_Positive

Great progress, keep posting because you seem to be on the right track.

Heffi1

Thanks Wendy, it seems to be in fits and starts though I need to motivate myself again.