DMP Mutual Support Thread (Part 4)

rayday2

Hi Maz!

I am ill again, think this work stuff is getting to me, four weeks now with one thing or another - either that or its old age!

I wonder if anyone can help me with something. I got my files out (thanks to ex-spendaholic) and went through charges etc since informing companies of going on a DMP.

There was only one company that took the ring with solicitors costs and apparently county court claim fee which they never went ahead with so I have demanded the illegal charge back for services not undertaken of £224. That one is nicely simple.

When I looked at the others there were only the odd charge of £12 late payment for two months max and interest. Has anyone tried claiming the interest back and if you did, did you claim from the time you told them you were in difficulty or not? Just not sure if its worth writing letters for amounts of about £60 tops.

newlywed

Thanks much better day today

Filled up with petrol, went to veg shop (only found out about it after a comment on the grocery challenge - and it's near my work). Got loads of fruit and veg for £11, got few other bits in Aldi and so feel much better today

Plus I still have £14 in my account and should get paid Friday (coz of bank holiday), should only need apples (OH eats 3 a day), bananas (OH won't eat them when they are brown) and milk later in the week, and my petrol should last well over a week

So things are good - and on top of that, next month I should have extra money in my budget as I've reduced my DMP - so should now be able to save properly for emergencies, tax and mot

Later in the week I'll be going to Barclays to open a savings account with a cash card - don't want to get caught out again with only one bank (especially as OH is with the same bank).

riquelme

hi everyone, im new here got myself in financial trouble through gambling and was in a ight state on other message threads last week. thanks to ray and jacks and others for help.

got my interview with cccs tommorrow, wife is giving me a chance and im addressing gambling problems also.

good luck everyone, ive had some advice today , and will be back tommorrow.

you are all great x

rayday2

Glad to hear your wife is supporting you, good luck with the CCCS tomorrow. Lots of people in here are with the CCCS.

I think you are great too, you have showed great courage over the past week.

newlywed

Hi, I'm with the CCCS - they are so nice on the phone - didn't feel like they were judging me at all. When I've had problems and rung them (even when crying) they have been really good and very helpful.

Been with them over a year now and have nothing bad to say about them at all It's good to know someone out there can help and wants to help.

Hope all goes well for you.

mouncey

Good afternoon all -just looking a bit of general advice really. I've been on a self managed DMP for the past 2 years with 3 creditors and a total unsecured debt of £45k. I'm paying £440 per month by equitable distribution to these creditors. I've completed the online debt remedy booklet with CCCS and they calculated roughly the same monthly payment.

I was considering switching to CCCS from self managed in order to relieve the stress. However I would be grateful if someone could advise if CCCS calculate the pro rata payments as a percentage of the total amount owed to each creditor or the normal monthly contractual payment. I was a bit concerned that some of the creditors would end up getting less than what I'm currently paying them if it was based on contractual payments.

Thanks for all your help with this query. I've been reading your posts over the last few days and you're a great bunch of people!

rayday2

I can't remember which way round it is, I think Andytwonames sussed it out so might be worth doing a search on his name see what he said.

Being nosey here, I am self managed DMP for two years now, and I was just wondering what you find stressful about it?

newlywed

I've seen others who looked into it recently mention is was based on monthly payments... but one of my cards had a huge minimum payment (with about £9k debt) and they are getting roughly the same amount as the other card with a similar amount of debt but lower minimum payment. So I think mine were based on percentage of total debt.

Mind you, I joined well over a year ago now so not sure if they changed things at all

Where are the CCCS staff members (they post on here too)? Maybe PM them and ask, or e-mail CCCS and ask?

mouncey

Hi Ray -It's just that 1 of my creditors KPR - Nationwide BS's in house collectors are my biggest creditor and the biggest nuisance. They're regulary phoning me to work and to my mobile asking me to increase my payments and making threats regarding CCJ's and charging orders.

I was reading an OFT document on Debt collection guidance and in para 2.8 section c it mentions that creditors should not refuse to deal with appointed or authorised 3rd parties such as CAB and debt advice centres. I thought by switching to CCCS I may get these people off my back and if it ever went to court I may get more sympathy if I was with a debt management charitable organisation.

Do you think I'm being a bit hasty or worrying unnecessarily switching from my self managed DMP. Cheers.

rayday2

To be honest from what I have read on here Nationwide are not the best to deal with, sorry! I am usually encouraging of people to do their own DMP as it is so easy but they do tend to push for court sometimes! I enthasise that because obviously you have done something right in two years avoiding it.

I would be careful swapping over though between Payplan and CCCS one does it on outstanding balance and the other does it on contractual amount. Seeing as they are being pretty good by their standards you need to make sure you choose the one that keeps things as they are really.

Just to mention though you do realise if things do go to court that CCCS or Payplan won't go with you its only your local CAB that may if they have someone spare.

National debtline are pretty good at giving legal advice too, do you use them for working out your DMP payments?