DMP Mutual Support Thread (Part 4)

loopylu36

Morning :hello:

Chewing my fingernails waiting for the post today as hoping to have a reply from NR bigwig. Bizarrely tho, we had a letter from their collections department yesterday, asking us to pay our arrears "or else" -err I thought the "or else" as already happpening?! Don't know if it's a mistake their end or what - probably I guess.

For the newbies - starting a DMP is a difficult decision but I think in a way it is because it has been given a name. I mean, once you get to the point where you can't pay any more, in the "old days" you would ignore everyone and when they eventually caught up with you, you'd call them and agree lower payments because what else could you do? I can't figure out why it feels more scary to start a DMP before you get into such serious stress, but like I say maybe it's because we feel "labelled". As Rayday said, when she started her DMP she didn't even know that that was what it was called - she was just paying what she could. So in short, don't worry, it is generally the only course of action worth taking (unless you win the lottery:rolleyes: ).

Living without credit is also incredibly scary to start with, but I haven't used a credit card for about 3 months know and I'm beginning to wonder what I actually used to buy with them in the first place! Our lifestyle hasn't been drastically compromised because we don't have cc's and in fact we seem to have more money, because we actually have money in our account for groceries etc, for the first time in years. Can't afford a holiday this year tho, but who can at the moment? In years gone by, it would DEF had just gone on a cc.

LMW - good luck with the baby - waiting for the good news!:D

On the subject of babies, I've decided I'm going to be a Childminder I have several friends and relations with youngsters (mine is 15 and we couldn't have any more after) and it has dawned on me that whilst I love looking after them, I also love giving them back too! I don't want to work in an office any more and am quite a "home body" so it seems perfect. Going to an info evening next week and it will take 8-12 weeks to get registered. The only thing concerning me slightly is whether me being on antidepressants is going to be an issue? I was presecribed these for work related stress and depression and I'm still taking them as doc says it is bet to do a full course of 6 months - does anyone know if this is likely to be a problem?

Loopy x

newlywed

Hi loopylu - I'm not sure about the antidepressants question but there is a depression support thread (I think it's over on the health board).
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=959423
They are really nice over there and I seem to remember the question coming up before. They might be able to help

kpwll

Good luck with your new venture.
It will be a novelty for me to go shopping with MONEY, as before all the money used to go on paying the cc's, therefore the cards were having to be used to pay for shopping. It was as tho money had gone out of fashion and cards were the 'new black'.......................or should I say RED!!!!!!!!!!!!

andytwonames

kpwll wrote: »

Bumping this in case anyone else is interested and I don't know how long the offer lasts.

I like doing surveys and have been with Pinecone for a long time, I have received an email asking if I know of any households that would like to join, (they pay £4.00 for each survey) I have to forward the email to the interested person's email account as there is a referal link. I don't get anything for refering and it doesn't say how many can be refered. If anyone is interested please pm me with your email address and I will forward it to you, for you to read. They pay into a Paypal account now where it used to be a book of luncheon vouchers.
PS I know there are 2 r's in referred/ing but was too lazy to go back over.

ALSO PLEASE DO NOT THINK THAT I AM TRYING TO MAKE ANYTHING FROM YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE. XX

I think you've done this one to death now. You have made and 'bumped' this offer enough times. Those who are interested will have taken up your offer, those who have not taken it up so far are clearly not interested.

pinksparkle_2

Alpinestar wrote: »

Hi There

Just an update. Most letters have been sent with token payments (all recorded). Now waiting to see what happens next. Do feel that it is the right thing to do.

Does everyone send there token payments out recorded, i sent a load on 19th June, not sure if they recieved them tho...!!!

Pinksparkle

rayday2

I never sent mine out recorded delivery. I wouldn't worry about it to be honest, whether you sent them recorded or not they are gone now!

Jvic28

Too late to worry now. Probably would have been a good idea to send them recorded. If they were cheques then you would know if they were cashed otherwise, you're gonna have to phone to find out (which none of us like doing)

x

rayday2

The token payments are only literally a token it does not form part of your DMP agreement so thats why I wouldn't worry they are just to shut them up, give you some breathing space while you set up the plan.

Dampelk

Hello. I am new to the boards, have lurked a bit (finally found the courage to post). I have just started a DMP, first payment sent and received. Unfortunately I only got the details for my new bank account today so I was a bit slow in transferring everything from old bank account. My original bank account has been closed and passed on to recovery agents. I rang child benefit and they said my payment for this month has already been sent out for Monday. Does anyone have any idea of whether or not I can get this money? Only realised my bank account was closed when I tried to get my tax credits out this morning and cash machine wouldn't let me. We can't survive the rest of the month without child benefit. Any help/ ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

lmw1977

Dampelk wrote: »

Hello. I am new to the boards, have lurked a bit (finally found the courage to post). I have just started a DMP, first payment sent and received. Unfortunately I only got the details for my new bank account today so I was a bit slow in transferring everything from old bank account. My original bank account has been closed and passed on to recovery agents. I rang child benefit and they said my payment for this month has already been sent out for Monday. Does anyone have any idea of whether or not I can get this money? Only realised my bank account was closed when I tried to get my tax credits out this morning and cash machine wouldn't let me. We can't survive the rest of the month without child benefit. Any help/ ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi welcome, glad you've decided to post - God knows it was the best descision I ever made - so hope it works out for you too!

I should try not to worry (we all know how easy that is said and just how hard that can be - I certainly do!).

Now going forward - all of this is off the cuff and just what I would do...

I'd probably go back to the child benefit/tax credit and have a chat with them to see if they can recall the payment and send it back to the new bank account - on the basis that the money should be paid to you not one of your creditors? If no joy I'd then go to the bank...as I say I'd hope there would be some rules against what's happened...even though we're in a grey area.

I'd definitely call my DMP provider to see what they advise, as they may be able to restructure what get's paid this month due to you having paid that particular creditor already - I'm quite new around here too so I'm not sure on the likelyhood of them sending money back, anyone any experience on that front?.

I hope you manage to get this sorted - let us know.

lmw