Puzz tries again.. this time with claws... My DMP Journey. I will get debt free...

A question about : Puzz tries again.. this time with claws... My DMP Journey. I will get debt free...

Hi,

I'm Puzz, and I've been hanging around these dfw threads and diaries for a long time now... I've tried many times to sort out the money mess I have made but have now hopefully settled on a path that will lead me to where I wish to be...

What I don't know is how I didnt' know about DMP's before, as I say I've been here for at least 5 years if not longer and only discovered them in my darkest place back in July.

So this diary is to track my progress, keep me in check and maybe offer someone else some assistance along my way!

I have been in debt my entire adult existance. I am now the wrong side of 40 and still in debt. I wouldn't say I've had my head in the sand as I can tell you exactly how much I owe and to who at any given time. I have this all written in my special money book that goes back to 2008..

The debt has increased year on year, but slowly over the last 3 until this summer when it all caught up with me again and I realised that I had to do something now. I have tried snowballing but never had enough snow to throw the ball far enough away! And don't talk to me about consolidating.....

Stumbling across the dmp mutual support thread, I then researched debt management plans and went onto StepChange website did the debt remedy.. and there was my answer. I have read threads 7,8 and 9 of the dmp support thread, it is a wonderful place and if you are thinking of a dmp it is a great place to start.

My debt is huge and is going to get bigger before it gets smaller which is perfectly normal at the start of a dmp. I'm still at the sending letters and token payments stage, my new bank account is up and running and my salary switch is at the end of the month. It is at this point when my largest creditor (od/loan and cc) will be receiving the news that I don't want to do this anymore.

I spent the money I don't deny that. I have every intention of paying it back. BUT... I have paid out a fortune in interest and I no longer feel guilty that I can't do it anymore. I will be working very hard to get my creditors to play nice with me, and am more than prepared to sharpen my claws and involve the FOS when needed.

So that's the start.. I know a dmp isn't for everyone, I know it will trash my credit record, but I don't want credit anymore. I want to live again..

I think that's enough waffle for one morning, and being a cat its probably time I stretched out and had a little kip... oops no I've got work to do.... maybe later...

Best answers:

• Its hard to stay cheerful when the weather is as miserable as it is here at the moment. At least I'm inside and dry, just a bit chilly... but i refuse to put the heating on, it didn't go off until May this year and I haven't built up my normal winter credit yet!
  I am a huge fan of reduced food purchasing and have been doing this for a few years now. My freezer contains only meat/poultry products with yellow/orange stickers on.. It makes meal planning more fun and varied and we get to eat a variety of foods that we may not of 'chosen' otherwise.. well actually my OH probably wouldn't choose them anyway but he eats what he gets cooked.. in the last month we've had venison burgers, tuna, monkfish and duck.. we also eat a lot of sausages of different flavours. not sure why sausages appear in the reduced aisles so often..good job we like them..!
  As I'm out and about around food shops all the time, I have a habit of picking up my bargains whenever I see them.. this has to stop as there is no room in the freezer and we need eat what is already there.. or buy another freezer... NO..... I hate missing out on a bargain.... will debate this thought..
  I'm rambling away to myself its very theraputic especially after I opened a statement from one of my creditors to see the balance going up.. I know this is going to happen but its still a bit scary..
  Interupted by the phone rinigng, thought it may be a creditor as I have only spoken to 2 of the 5 that are so far aware but no it was BG trying to sell me something as per... heart beat can now return to normal...
  Anyway back to food, I love food.. I could buy/cook/talk about and eat food all day if I could.. good job i'm only 4lb overweight.. My ideal job would be one of those shoppers you see in the supermarket doing other people's shopping...
  I even photograph my dinner for a thread on here.. now that sounds a bit sad now i've said it particularly as i'm no chef.. but its good to have a hobby and at least I can always meal plan from my lovely photo's...
  Anyway best get back to some work now....
• Happy shiny new diary
• Sale and Bargain - love 'em. Infact SALE signa used to be the only reason why i enter shops and I only buy sale items. I thought it was a good idea but I buy things I don't even need not even want for that matter.
  Anyhow, SALE means being WISER now.
• Hi beanielou and trixie888 thanks for popping by!
  Today I have been treated to lunch which was very nice, I very rarely go out for meals or get takeaways/sandwiches etc as I have access to my home kitchen during the day. The downside is hearing about another family fallout, I shall do my best not to get involved as there is always blame on both sides and i don't like playing piggy in the middle !
  I do visit my office most days, but find the atmosphere very difficult there, as its prodominently female and someone is always upset with someone eise.. I guess that's why I enjoy how I do work as I don't have to be in for very long if at all somedays..
  Letter today from one of my creditors asking for authorisation for my dmp company to speak with them.. assume I just complete it and send it back but have referred the question over to the good peeps on the dmp thread for advice..
  I'm looking forwards to getting the ball rolling properly on my dmp, which should be end of the month hopefully. Just tying up the loose ends but i do feel a little in limbo at the moment..
  All rather quiet otherwise, will need to hit a supermarket later but its one that's not known for its great food reductions so my overfull freezer should be safe for another day...
  Now I shall get on with doing some surveys and earn a few more pennies for the christmas pot, then school run and supermarket. Followed by a lazy evening in front of the tv.. for a change...I do this everyday... It is one of the things I am planning on changing once I get my dmp all sorted and I shall then work on sorting me....
• Having just done a long post and it disappearing on me, I shall stick to the facts of my day...
  Money saving/making.. surveys - one poll up to Ј37.30 so just Ј2.70 till payout hopefully end of the months so will receive it in time for christmas shopping. Always budgetted for christmas as I love christmas and document my spends every year... Ј3 received from another survey and banked into savings.. little acorns and all that...
  Raining.. boo...
  Free weekend, would like to have got hair cut and some new work tops but no funds in budget yet so will trawl charity shops saturday, for tops not hair..
  Thinking of things to do that don't involve spending money.. I used to do Mystery shopping but always spent over the budget dipping into the profit and was rubbish at saving for the tax man... I am thinking of some voluntary work maybe....
  Short and sweet in case it doesn't like this post either and I don't have time to do another as school run beckons....
• Friday, I do love a friday...
  Wine is open and poured....
  Productive day, I have written my 4 letters to the creditors who don't yet know I'm entering a dmp, these will be posted friday after I can confirm my wages have gone into my new account. Also paperwork ready to send to SC, bar my wage slip that I will also have on friday..
  So next friday its all go... as long as the bank get on with closing the joint account.. movement is happening as they have transferred a whole 73p from the joint to my own account leaving enough to pay the interest in it, so hope by monday this will be closed..
  On a duff note received my cheque for switching mortgage products paid out jointly.. no account to put it in so have to write back to them to request an individual name.. oh well means it can't be spent and I have earmarked it for christmas..
  2 letters from creditors today.. Halifax have now sent me 4 letters all the same, despite me having spoken to someone... lovely letter from m & s, but will wait to see how they all play when dmp set up...
  Next lot of token payments and second letters ready for the creditors who will soon be missing a second payment.. its like a second job keeping on top of all this..
  Still smiling, still hoping it will all be ok...
  have to smile as its the weekend.... its scary how quick they rush round.... And a charity shopping day planned for tomorrow.. so back to my wine...
• So back from my charity shopping trip.. bought 1 top for me and 2 dvd's for my dd, had a sandwich before I went so didnt need to stop for lunch whilst out... I went to 2 slightly 'posher' villages, and I have to say I think they overprice the clothes some in these areas.. bit cheaper where I usually go...
  No other spends needed today and no money making either as one poll hs nothing new to offer me so still need Ј2.30 to reach payout for that.
  So not a very exciting day, normal housework and washing done... nice evening planned with a friend coming over for nachos, dips, wine and chatter...
  Even the postman didn't bring anything interesting except a couple of statements.. with huge balances... filed them....
• Still all quiet in my little dmp land... I don't think I'll be saying that next week when the rest of my letters land on appropriate desks....
  Finally some news on the joint account that is now no longer showing on my online banking so just need to receive that promised 'it is closed letter' hopefully in the next few days....
  One of my cats is a bit poorly, I do usually rush to the vets but as he seems okay in himself I have rung them for advice and made an appointment for tomorrow evening so will how he is for another 24 hours... i have told OH he will be paying mind.....
  Update, felt too guilty about my puzz so have moved appointment to tonight..
  New bank account still in credit.. so exciting.... not a lot but I shall move anything left over after payday into one of my many saving accounts.. most have a whole Ј1 in at the moment...
  Still working to budget, I have 4 plastic wallets labelled and each week am splitting cash into the appropriate wallets. I am also recording all my spends against budget catagories so I can see which one needs more and which one I can rob to feed it..
  A disaster in the kitchen last night when the bottle shelf in the ancient fridge broke off when I opened it and 2 bottles of wine smashed onto the floor... luckily not my wine..
  OH says 'do we need a new fridge?' well yes if he's paying otherwise it can join queue for replacement items..
  So onwards and upwards another week begins, one step closer to my dmp starting..
• Todays jobs..
  Paid Ј10 into one of my savings accounts from my 50p stash, this is for a wedding next summer. I save and snaffle all loose change and put it into different savings accounts, amazing how it adds up..
  Done onepoll now need Ј1-80 to pay out..
  Nearly at Ј5 payout on another survey site..
  Poorly cat cost Ј47... for an examination, some probiotics and some sensitive food...he's not impressed with any of it, but I shall persevere... Luckily OH paid for that one...
  Received statement from joint account with CLOSED ACCOUNT on it, so I think we can assume that job is done and roll on friday when I post everything out... must remember to cancel the last dd on my account for a loan due on the 1st.. This was the only debt that was going down and I'm sad that it has to be included as I have been paying it for 5 1/2 years, with only 1 1/2 left to run, but hey ho.. that's the rules of a dmp....
  Think that's about it on the money side today.. got the afternoon off so am heading to town for a few essentials..
  Hope anyone reading this is having a good day and you haven't all fallen asleep in the process....
• So last night I got a text from StepChange informing me they hadn't received my paperwork yet and to call if any problems.. so kind. So I have spoken to them this morning and advised it will all be sent out at the end of the week. Can't wait to get this started now...
  Just taken a call from my boss.... conversation started with.. I hate to have to do this over the phone..... my heart started beating a wee bit fast at this point...!!! But it was to tell me they are leaving.... bit sad now, we've worked together for 10 years and there is only one other person in the team who has been there longer than me.... wonder what my next boss will be like...
  Both my dd and my cat appear to be on the mend thankfully, just got to get the car sorted next as it needs a bit of work and she is getting on a bit in years... 12 !! But less than 70k on the clock so hoping she will keep going for the lenght of my dmp... otherwise it will be the bank of mum I have to go to....
  Got disturbed this morning with a delivery of a large parcel, part of my RM postal work that I do, so I will need to factor into my budget next week, paying to send this on, also need a perscription and a suit dry cleaned... no charity shopping for me this week then...! On the upside it looks like OH will be away from saturday to thursday next week so the food shop can be minimal as I will eat from the freezer.
• Nearly the weekend....
  I have posted back my dmp pack ready for a November start.. I shall post the remaining creditor letters tomorrow and be onto my online banking first thing to check the wages have gone the right direction....
  More good news, my cat appears to be mended.. yeah....
  Only need 45p more for OnePoll payout... Ј40 towards christmas... I love christmas... also waiting for a cheque for Ј100 from changing my mortgage so more pennies for christmas fund.. have I mentioned I love christmas...
  And more good news.. my new current account is still in credit the day before payday....
  That's enought smilie's for one post I think.....
• I do not believe you posted those dancing THINGS in September !! Bah Humbug lol
• Oops.. sorry didn't mean to offend anyone who isn't as passionate about the silly season as me.... maybe this..is more appropriate for the time of year... although personally I hate halloween, complete load of nonsence...
  So today I have posted off the rest of the letters so now I may just .. and wait for the fall out from the bank...
  On the upside my salary hit the right account that was still in credit, only by a few ЈЈ's though, but lovely to see and made me
  Have worked out exactly how much I have to spend and on what this month. I do have a few extra's I need to pay for including work to the car.. I would also like to get a small freezer so i'm going to start by looking in our local electrical charity shop.. job for tomorrow...
  One Poll 10p from payout......
  Ordered Ј5 from another survey site, although it always takes about 3 weeks to land in paypal... goes the long way round I think....
  Done the food shop.. under budget.... and bought 2 christmas presents.... sorry, sorry I know its that word again, but I promise not to put up any decorations on my diary until... maybe October...
  And of course the best news is, its friday... Love Fridays.....
• Quick post today being the weekend, knee deep in washing, cleaning etc..... oh the joy!!
  Popped to local electrical charity shop, they had a small chest freezer but wanted Ј80 for it and it was smelly... I don't think so, you can buy new for Ј129... but have found one on gumtree so waiting to hear if that's still available at Ј45...
  Got perscription Ј7.85 and paid for suit dry cleaning Ј7.50.. I've now been informed that the black ink is running out so more spends tomorrow, think its cheapest at asda so i'll pop down early in the morning that will be another Ј15.. so that will be my sundries wallet empty for this week...
  Other cat now poorly with same symptoms so assuming it was a cat bug that one has passed to the other. I shall keep an eye on her, but she has more.....curves than the boy so not eating for a day or two won't cause her to be skinny like him!!! I don't think I need to go and spend another Ј47 down the vet at this point.. and neither of them like the sensitive food so most of that's gone in the bin....
  Strictly and x factor tonight so a girls night in front of the tv whilst OH is at football/pub...
  Off now things to do.....................
• Yay Puzzcat! I've had a DMP for the last couple of years and I have to say, it really has improved my quality of life. I am currently trying to help my OH set something similar up.
  Good luck and keep going!
• Monday again... how did that happen? Woke up this morning thinking it was sunday.. how depressing is that...
  Oh well another day another dollar...
  to kb_soma, thanks for popping by. Lovely to hear from others on the same journey.
  Today I'm feeling... and would really like to be tucked up in bed, in fact I may have a little siesta later. On the upside both my cats now appear to be well so that's one less worry out of the way...!
  Its month end and I've added up my spends.. over budget on groceries but that is my weakness and an area that I will learn to rein in... Somehow I didn't spend more money than I had though so bit confused by that one... I shall do the same next month as i'm practising for the start of my dmp which hopefully will go live 1st November.. Just waiting to hear back from SC now.....
  All quiet on the postal and phone front, my biggest creditor will have received communication from me today... this is the scary one as it makes up 33% of my total debt.. please be nice to me......
  Lovely to see my current account in credit, all my priority dd's will start tumbling out tomorrow onwards so I shall admire it for as long as possible today..... After that I shall start moving around what's left into the various budget saving accounts I have created.
  Time for a cuppa me thinks...
  Forgot to add finally got the last 10p on onepoll so Ј40 payment requested from them...