DMP Mutual Support Thread (Part 4)

WhoopieDoodle

Hello everyone. Sorry I keep coming and going! I've not forgotten you all though and I will pop in when I get the chance.

After a lot of soul searching and discussions, hubby and I have decided to do our own DMP (well, I'll be doing it on his behalf). So, does anyone know what you tell the creditors when you leave a DMP and do it yourself? Also, what is the best way to pay everyone? We are a little loathe to send cheques and definitely don't want to pay by SO or DD, so thought over the counter?

Any help would be much appreciated (it just took me 5 attempts at spelling that!) My poor brain cell!

rayday2

Why don't you want to pay by standing order? Standing orders are the most convenient and they don't leave your account until your bank lets them they are not controlled by the creditor. I pay most mine via SO on set times of the month and about one by cheque.

I wouldn't go into a great deal of detail in your letter just say you are going to take over control of the accounts and ask them to provide payment instructions or a payment book.

WhoopieDoodle

Thanks Rayday. I thought SO could be controlled by the creditors, like a DD. If they aren't, then I will set them up as it will be much easier. Thanks goo regarding the letter. I'm really pleased I am doing this but there is a lot of think about! But, I like being in CONTROL! <---- evil laugh

rayday2

Yayy a fellow control freak!

I like SO its free and no stamp involved, just stick your neck out if you offer those as some love to try to push direct debit so they got cheques off me until they changed their mind (it costs them to cash cheques I believe!)

I have a big lever arch file (black! lol) that I keep all correspondance in and then a spreadsheet for each creditor detailing payments (when they cleared if cheques or date left bank account) and one overall spreadsheet for my total debt.

Good luck with it and any questions you know the topic to be in

WhoopieDoodle

Cheers rayday

I'll remember the tip regarding DDs and work with cheques until/if we can get the SO set up.

I began my own file (like yours, black, but a box file) with all correspondence etc from them and me when we began the DMP all those months ago. And a spreadsheet with payments, although this has been hit and miss so far as I'm not doing it myself. But, once I am, I can keep a proper and accurate log of payments and balances.

I'm sure there will be future questions from me so it is a very good feeling knowing there is the help available on here.

I must be mad maybe as I am also self-employed so have my own accounts etc to do but over the past few months I have been doing a lot of leg work on the DMP and really felt I should be doing it myself. I like the idea of having 10o% control over the situation and knowing exactly what is what at all times.

We aren't starting until September, as this will give me plenty of time to set everything up and prepare myself!

Thanks again

rayday2

I found it took a few months before my spreadsheets settled down once the charges all stopped, and as you know the one that had charged what I felt was unreasonable (Lloyds bank account) I claimed those back with a complaint letter.

One step at a time is the best and as you have your own business you will be far more organised and expert than I was lol!

pinksparkle_2

I have just looked on justa abank thigy with payplan, and realised my debt has gone up again...!!!

I realise that since payplan have contacted each of my creditors they have wacked on the interest, my question is, can i get any of these interest and charges refunded and how exactly do i do this???

Do i have to wait for each creditor to accept my dmp offer???

Help...!!!

Pinksparkle
xxx

maz1964

Hello all again

Rayday - yes well have to thank you for the national debtline site you gave me for my first letter if you recall, and i ve used it so much its fab. They have rang me to ask if i could speak with the reporter they are doing a bbc programme, cos of my many calls to them i guess and the problems ive encountered with the mortgage and setting up the dmp.

now that leads me nicely to WhoopieDoodle - pls continue to be brave and do that dmp yourself. we will all help you and i may even learn from you guys ref the data sheet lol

Im sure you will be able to do it, just be firm, consistent, and keeping your paperwork in order and you will be fine. Im paying most over the counter at the moment but am trying to set up standing orders - i am doing my own and my husband is not part of my dmp. I set up a fresh sole account with co - op and going to try the standing order from that account eventually. For the time being working well for me just going to the bank and paying in cash over the counter for each creditors giro slip.

keep happy and shout if any questions

ciao for now MAZ

rayday2

pinksparkle wrote: »

I have just looked on justa abank thigy with payplan, and realised my debt has gone up again...!!!

I realise that since payplan have contacted each of my creditors they have wacked on the interest, my question is, can i get any of these interest and charges refunded and how exactly do i do this???

Do i have to wait for each creditor to accept my dmp offer???

Help...!!!

Pinksparkle
xxx

I would let your DMP settle down and interest be frozen and then try to push for some of the interest or charges refunded. Pointless doing it before they have stopped interest really.

longforthesun

Have been back from our holidays for over a week now. I did not complete my personal details on the CCCS debt remedy until I returned as I did not want anything arriving in the post when we are away. I have completed the details now and am awaiting my pack in the post. The phone has been ringing off the hook but I have not been answering it. I sent letters to all our creditors the day before we went away advising we were contacting CCCS and asking for 28 days these are not yet up so no point answering the phone. As soon as I have my reference number from CCCS i shall call each creditor and give them this and ask them to stop calling and communicate in writing only. I got a surprising letter from MBNA saying they were sorry to hear we were having financial difficulty and wanted to be of help, considering all the bad things i have heard regarding MBNA i was quite pleased although I know them being nice may not last.

It has been nice this month actually having some money and nice to pay for things with my debit card and not having to rely on CC. My account is still in the positive and it is midway through the month can't remember the last time that happened.

Sorry didn't mean my post to be so long.