Got my first phone call today, from Halifax One credit card!When they asked for me, I just said that she wasn't there at the moment! they rang back 3 times, by which time I had saved their number in my mobile, so I didn't answer. I also changed my voice mail message, so it just says " Hi, it's me ", took my first name out of message, so they can't be sure they have the right number.
Got a snotty letter from the Bank too, about our 2k overdraft, it upset me, but only for a few mins, I just thought of the horrible woman we spoke to last week who chewed gum all through the meeting.I hope she rings me this week to threaten to close our account, it will give me great pleasure to say just do it then!
Hi breakdown! I would just continue to ignore phone calls especially the credit cards as they are just awful call centre people on commission to get blood out of stones! We have written letters to everyone and followed them up with phone calls to those that we have loans with. Had a letter from MBNA in response to our letter telling us to get in touch direct and I just sent them another letter telling to deal with our IP (Melanie) direct. Good luck hon - we're all in this together! Keep posting as it is so therapeutic to chat to people who completely understand what you are going through! Take care... Fi x
Still gathering info....but hope to be on the right path pronto!!
Hey Breakdown, sounds like you've got a great, positive attitude. The creditors won't be very nice but you can just tell them whats going on or refuse to answer their calls. It will make no difference. Some are great and log it down, some won't bother. Don't like the sound of the gum chewer! [:(!]
I to found the Halifax a pain. They phoned constantly at all times of the day, despite being told we were going into an IVA. to be fair though they stopped onced it had been approved. RBS only became a problem after the IVA was approved even after numerous phone calls telling them the IVA details. It has been quite for a while now I assume after 5 months the message has got through.
I hope I have your strength when it comes to it Breakdown, this will be the first month I have'nt paid my bills and MBNA are my main creditor, Halifax 2nd and I am dreading what will happen. I worry about things at the best of times so this is unbearable. What do you say when they ring you??????
Tell them that you're going to be doing an IVA and your IP will be writing to them shortly. Don't get in a lengthy conversation with them, keep it short and sweet. They will try to get you to pay, but don't cave in. They will tell you that they won't accept the IVA, but they won't even be dealing with it. If it gets too much, don't answer.
Well we are all pretty much at the same stage. I had our telephone meeting with MG tonight and I can tell you all she is very thorough and extreamly fair.
Like you Fifibonbon we have received letters from Natwest and had a discussion with MBNA (who interestingly tried to sign us up to a DMP they were running, as if!!!)
We write out to our creditors every two weeks with an update, have received default notices for most loans and CC's now. Paul,Calls have not been as bad as we anticipated so far.
It is hoped our IVA meeting will be late in December so will keep you all posted,
Paul, I so understand your anxiety but be assured we are all experiencing similar feelings.
Up until October we had never missed a payment all be it we used money from one card to pay another.etc etc....
We are all in this together and one way or another there is a solution.
Fifi, hope you are feeling better hon, take care xx
Take care all.... LOL J
7 down 53 to go
The pedal uphill may be hard but remember once you reach the top you can take your feet off and freewheel all the way down!!!
Thank You Billy1010,
There does seem to be a few of us at a similar stage, I think we will be chatting and supporting each other for a while to come . Knowing what to expect from others experiences is invalueable, keep us up to date with how you get on.
Just looked at your case notes and it looks fine to run as an IVA proposal. Tina will get back to you more formally tomorrow, but as I know you are anxious I am sure you will not mind me sharing this with you publicly.
Thanks for all your support guys! I truly appreciate it. This too is my first ever month of not paying my cc/loans, and it feels so strange. I feel guilty, is that normal?
Hey Breakdown, the way you should look at it is you can't afford the debts without taking out further credit, I was going into the bank and drawing money out on one credit card to pay another. If you are anything like me, you shouldn't feel guilty for stopping that cycle.
Same here, I borrowed from one to pay another, but then hit a brick wall as the credit ran out and noone would increase it (which in hindsight is the best thing that could have happened as it made me face up to it!). I too had never missed a payment, and I also felt a bit saddened when I started getting the first default letters through, as despite the level of borrowings I had always maintained the payments. But, then when I think of HOW I managed to maintain the payments, by robbing Peter to pay his mate Paul, I realised how futile the situation had become. I have now got over it, and looking forward to my IVA being proposed by Melanie soon - the last piece of info has been faxed over to Sam today so I'm feeling good.
You are so right. At first the bank wanted us to take out a 32k loan to consolidate, but that was turned down. I am so glad it was,as it would not have solved the problem, it would probably have made it so much worse.
I never want to have another credit card or loan again in my life. I'm glad that my credit file will be bad, I hope that I never need it to be checked again.
We had a bonfire in the garden yesterday using all the credit card cheques we have been sent this year. They should be outlawed. I always saved them for 'emergencies', not realising the APR that they attracted. Well, no more! Cash always from now on.
Thank you so much Melanie for taking us on, we really do appreciate it. Hopefully we can gather all the info you need as quickly as possible. And for everyone else that has offered their help and support A REALLY BIG THANK YOU. We are fully aware that things are about to get worse but the thought that there may be a light at the end of the tunnel will keep us going. Informing our creditors of our intentions is not going to be pleasant so any advice would be appreciated.
I'm with you Breakdown, the idea of loans and credit cards fills me with dread, I will never , never entertain the thought of ever wanting one again. If I can't pay cash , I don't want it. This is definately what I will teach my Children.
All the best to everyone and thank you to Melanie and her team...
