CCCS - adding new debts

susimuggle

Thanks for all the many replies on here. I am eternally grateful, hearing all the different opinions makes me realise how serious this is and I will begin to take some action. All the points raised are totally valid and there’s lots of good advice. I do appreciate I’ve been quite stupid. Want to try and answer a few points raised in here, rather than quoting everybody will do it in list form:
I have cut up the cards now.

• So far have not been charged a fee by credit card companies.
• Have decided NOT to tell the CCCS about my new debts.
• Will try and get help for compulsive spending, there doesn’t seem to be anything in Glasgow, but will look, and if necessary start my own self-help group. Will speak to my GP.
• Have not set up an SOA yet, (yet to find out what that is)
• Already selling stuff on Ebay – sometimes to pay some of my credit card instalments. Thinking about getting a part time job.
• In regards to wanting the finer things in life: I have a slightly compulsive personality, but am also quite greedy and want everything, which is terrible, but I think a lot of people suffer from this affliction.

I will thank each one of you individually and will keep you posted. This forum is overwhelming in size and I think it’ll take me some time to find my way round.
Thanks again – I feel better now. :-)

In_Search_Of_Me

Susis you wont be the first & you certainly wont be the last! An SOA is basically a list of incomings & outgoings..people here generally are pretty good at helping you see what is a need & what is a want! This place is great for helping with spending & there are lots of helpful threads - spendaholics and grocery challenge may be good as a start! Yes you have been foolish but you know that already - I'm surprised though that CCCS dont make it abundently clear at that start that you cant get more credit while on a DMP? Theres also a DMP support thread on DFW (debt free wanabee) too! Just get stuck in and hopefully MSE will soon help you crawl out of debt alng with the rest of us. Welcome aboard!

Sue-UU

Hi again susi,

Good to see your reply and that you're not feeling 'put upon' in anyway, but that we've all tried to help you, to help yourself. The majority of us know what having debts around you means so make no mistake in that we all sympathise with you - but still know you can't go on like it. There's no need to reply to each of us as your reply says plenty in itself. Congratulations for having cut up those cards! That is a massive step forward.

An SOA simply means a State Of Affairs and as 'In Search Of Me' says it's an expenses v incomings list (for a monthly basis) which you can find here . Put everything on, including Christmas, Birthdays... everything you spend out and receive.

I wish you so much luck in getting things under control and as someone's already said; whenever you're tempted into buying something - ask yourself "Do I really NEED this??!!!" ...and if you don't or aren't really sure then let then it stay where it is and praise yourself for having done the right thing, exercised self-discipline and got another step closer to beating this ruiner! You WILL come through it all, with time, self-discipline and by coming here and sharing problems (as you have already) as well as reading all the tips and advice the site has to offer. One day you'll be thinking back at all your debt and will be delighted at all you've achieved!

All the very best.

Sue

Ames

I sometimes have a problem with compulsive spending too. I find that if I see something I like I wait and go back a day (or more) later, most of the time I find I don't like it as much and don't want it after all. It doesn't stop all the spending but it does help with most of it.

Miss_Marple_2

Ames wrote: »

I sometimes have a problem with compulsive spending too. I find that if I see something I like I wait and go back a day (or more) later, most of the time I find I don't like it as much and don't want it after all. It doesn't stop all the spending but it does help with most of it.

I also do that - and also make a note in my note book of what I want, how much it costs and why I want it. A week later, I look back, and find I can hardly remember what that 'thing' was. Anything that I look back on and thing 'I still want that', I then start all the 'Can I afford it, is it worth it' kind of stuff.

Also try going out without your cards - it's amazing what you don't spend when you haven't got it ! I find a real sense of freedom going round the shops with no money - you can look at everything with an objective eye.

Sue-UU

Ames wrote: »

I sometimes have a problem with compulsive spending too. I find that if I see something I like I wait and go back a day (or more) later, most of the time I find I don't like it as much and don't want it after all. It doesn't stop all the spending but it does help with most of it.

I forgot to mention last night that I too never buy an item the first time of seeing it and IF I can answer "yes" to do I need it, then I'll go back a few days later, but 9 times out of 10 I either don't like it on a 2nd viewing or it looks totally different. Well done Ames & Miss_Marple, we'll soon have our spending habits beaten or under control!

Sue

susimuggle

Thanks for all the encouraging replies in here. I really enjoy reading this forum. Have been getting Martin's email for a couple of years or so, but never even realised there was a forum. Have had a good look around and reading so much from people who all have the same aim, ie save money and/or becoming debt-free is really good for me. It really has the potential to spur you on.

Will make an appointment with Money Matters (don't know if they have them in England) - it's a kind of advice centre and see what they will say.

Filled in a budget plan and written down all my debts which kind of gives me a clear picture.

Thanks again all you good people. :j

poorandindenial

Hi Susi

I am really glad you came back, I haven't heard of money matters but if they want money off you then run a mile. You may have also seen the shopaholics anonymous thread, there is some really great advice in the last few pages, why not join us and share your shopaholic issues with us. I think we have all 'confessed' to something about our habit that we think is outrageous and then find someone else has been there too. Together we try to work out why we do it and keep tabs on how everyone is getting on. If it sounds like it would be useful to you, just post and ask compulsivespender if you can join and she will give you a number. (I'll pop a link up in a mo)

EDIT: Link
EDIT2: I just realised that 'ask CS if you can join' makes it sound like an exclusive club, it isn't all comers are welcome, it is just that CS is the keeper of the numbers.

susimuggle

poorandindenial wrote: »

Hi Susi

You may have also seen the shopaholics anonymous thread, there is some really great advice in the last few pages, why not join us and share your shopaholic issues with us.

Done! Many thanks, that's the one thread I was looking for and hadn't found yet.

malestrom07

Susi - I'm afraid it's almost inevitable that your plan with CCCS will be closed, I have a copy of the contract and it definately states that no further credit can or should be obtained. However, one question needs answering! How did you obtain credit whilst on a DMP. What credit checks were undertaken? I'm suprised that your credit file was not at least "ruined" by your need for a DMP with CCCS. I do hope your credit file alone prevents a re occurrence. There is just one problem, if you do not tell CCCS then they will not know, however if any of the creditors included in the DMP look at your credi file and see say, 9 instead of 5 debts then they will see that you have more debt than declared on the DMP. They will also look at the payment frequency and amounts. If the debts outside the plan are being paid in full they will have 2 questions:

1. where is the money coming from to finance these debts?
2. why should they accept pro rata reduced payments when others possibly are not?

The further problem is that existing DMP included creditors could throw the towel in and accelerate collections action. CCCS will still be available for advice, but may not be able to justify further DMP assistance. However, the advice about seeing your GP is very good advice, it will help in the long term.