Scared to death

compulsivespender79

Bedhead_Girl wrote: »

Hi this is my first time doing this so if anyone can help me I would be very greatful. -

I am in a debt management plan (started at the age of 22) but I wasnt told just how bad it would affect my credit rating, i cant even change my home phone provider as this is subject to credit checks.

Any ideas what I can do????

Thanks everyone x

:mad:

Hi Bedhead - can I suggest you ask this question on the DMP Mutual Support Thread if you haven't already - there are loads of people who can help you there;

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=729285&page=102

CSx

Homegrown_Idiot

itsnever2lateisit? wrote: »

Hey Homegrown

Can you find out the APR's on your credit cards and post them please, also check the minimum repayments required on each, the amounts that you repay are not consistent. With a bit of jiggling about we could make better use of your money in terms of repaying these. Take a look at the snowball calculator on www.whatsthecost.com. Basically putting most effort into repaying the highest APR brings your debt free date closer. Also, how long have you got to go on your sky subs? It might be worth going for their 3 for £26 offer and cutting your BT bill.

I get angry at the way we treat our ex service folk in this country, we have always behaved this way. Once your run out date arrives they just drop you like you never existed:mad: and civvy street makes no effort to help with the transition. As someone posted earlier talk to SSAFA and also RBL, they are supposed to exist to help you folk, not just pour up cheap pints of beer:p

Would you be able to take in a lodger perhaps?

Thank you, I'll get onto all of your suggestions.

As an ex-serviceman I don't look for any preferential treatment, but I must say that I'm surprised at the reaction I get from people sometimes (especially councils) when I'm looking for a bit of help. One lovely lady I talked to in my local council said, once she noticed I'd been in Iraq, that "maybe you should've saved some of your blood-money". At that point I knew I was stuffed.
I should have expected it though as the day I landed back in the UK I popped into a shop on my way home (still in uniform) and was spat on and called 'baby-killer'. Not nice

swampduck

If You're paying out £300 per month for petrol - is it not worth considering finding alternative accomodation nearer to your job? If your rent is £600 now paying more for rent for somewhere nearer might be a logical alternative. Plus if you are close enough to walk or bus to work you can let your car go along with taxing and MOT'ing and other expenses connected with owning a car.
But good luck whatever you do.

Swampy

mark55man

Homegrown_Idiot wrote: »

Thank you, I'll get onto all of your suggestions.

As an ex-serviceman I don't look for any preferential treatment, but I must say that I'm surprised at the reaction I get from people sometimes (especially councils) when I'm looking for a bit of help. One lovely lady I talked to in my local council said, once she noticed I'd been in Iraq, that "maybe you should've saved some of your blood-money". At that point I knew I was stuffed.
I should have expected it though as the day I landed back in the UK I popped into a shop on my way home (still in uniform) and was spat on and called 'baby-killer'. Not nice

I am sorry to hear all that. Some people are so narrow minded and bigoted (and all in the guise of being PC and caring)

I for one appreciate what you did, even if it wasn't pleasant or comfortable

Homegrown_Idiot

Just to keep you informed, CCCS have got back to me and sent me the forms for the DMP which I will be paying at £210 a month (although I'm sure some of my creditors won't go for that).
It took a while for CCCS to get back to me - I got an email asking why I hadn't sent the paperwork back when I hadn't even received anything, but that was down to a computer problem on their part:rolleyes:
So it's all going in the post tomorrow and hopefully it won't be too long before the phonecalls stop!

One question I have though is about my bank - as 2 of the debts are with them (loan and credit card) and my pay gets paid into there via BACS I suppose I should get another account? I just know that they will freeze it as soon as they get the letter from CCCS - or at least cancel my cashcard.
I was looking at a Nationwide Flex account, handy as there is a Nationwide in my village, which gives you a cashcard, direct debits and online banking but no overdraft or cheques (neither of which I want anyway). Does anyone know if I could get this account with my bad debts, and if so how long it would take to open?

I must say that, although I am still worried about this until the DMP gets up and running, I am not as panicky as I was - and that's thanks to the people here who have helped... so thank you all:T

mark55man

Hi again. That all sounds very positive.

Not sure about the debts impacting your account but I think the Nationwide account is quite well regarded - I would have got an account there myself but the queue was way way too long. Put me off a bit

Regards

Mark

beanielou

Yes, you are right homegrown,you need to open a new account ASAP that has no links with any of your existing creditors and get your wages paid in ASAP.
Hope DMP works out for you.
Take care.

ILoveChristmas

Hi Homegrown - I've been in a DMP with the CCCS for 8 months now - best thing I ever did. In the beginning some of my creditors moaned and groaned but the CCCS kept sending them their money every month, I stopped answering the phone to those damned creditors - and within a few months, all my creditors accepted the payments and interest was frozen. You have all that to look forward to and I promise you will start to feel a lot better very soon.

I opened a Cashminder Account with the Co-Op - I phoned them up, told them my situation and the application was completed in a matter of minutes. There is no overdraft or cheque book but there is a visa electron card which I can use pretty much anywhere as a debit card and I have set up direct debits too. Also, I use the online banking service to pay bills, transfer money to my daughter in Uni, etc. etc. It might be worth you looking into it?

Good luck with everything - wishing you well :beer:

ILC x