We are going for a DMP firstly, then probably into an IVA at a later date. Does this make any difference in wether you answer the calls or not? I would like to have the guts to answer them and explain, but for some reason i just freeze and look at the caller id on the phone.
Hi Dawn,
You don't have to be ashamed, you have to do what feels right for you. If you feel that you cannot talk to the callers then don't. As Lesley says, it would appear that it makes little difference in the long run.
When I chose to pursue the IVA route, I decided that I would speak to my creditors and keep them informed as long as they treated me reasonably and called at sensible times/intervals.
I have also decided that if start to make my life a misery then I will change my number and they can take a hike!
I'm only just starting the process so I might be changing my mind very soon!!
I'm glad to read that some creditors are being amendable and not putting pressure on clients. It seems to vary and some clients can have differening experience fm the same creditor so it can also depend on who is on the phone that day.
Dawng1 - don't worry if you don't feel up to the calls - it would make it better if you could speak to them to inform them what you are doing as they will have less need to keep chasing you but don't put yourself under pressure if you can't. Remember that you are doing the rightful thing by these creditors by taking formal action so you are not doing anything wrong and you are not inferior to them. You are merely explaining that you can no longer afford your contractual payments and you have been seeking financial advice. You are going ahead with a DMP and the DMP company will be in touch shortly about payment arrrangements. You cannot afford to make any payments right now and if yo pay one you have to pay them all so you are holding off until something is in place. This is all above board and creditors are receiving hundreds of calls like this every day.
I'm interested that you are planning to go for an IVA later and why you are not looking at one now as when this is in place you will have absolute legal protection away from creditors whereas with a DMP I am sure you know you will not.
Either way I hope you feel stronger soon and be proud of the fact you are tackling your debts properly.
Regards,
Regards, Tina Shortland, Debt Advisory Manager for Melanie Giles at Debt Advice TV.
If you’re looking for effective debt related information, articles and news, then go now to our on-line advice service at www.debtadvicetv.com
If you’re ready to ask us for specific advice or help, then get in touch at www.call-me.debtadvicetv.com so you can start to free yourself from the stress and anxiety of overwhelming debt.
Thanks DURACEL. You are very kind with your words. I feel better now knowing I dont need to answer the calls if I feel i cant. The phone just rang again and i definately felt better not answering. I know who it is ,so maybe i will send them a message via my website account.
Hi Tina. Thank you for taking the time to make me feel at ease. I appreciate it. To answer your question on why we are not going straight into an IVA... I think i may of spoke to yourself or another lovely person from Melanie Giles, as i decided to go with Melanie to see if we were able to go into an IVA. After going through all our details i was told we were in a difficult situation. I currently get benefits for being ill and these are unreliable in the fact i could be on them for a while or could lose them at any time. I was told that with my husbands wage and my benefits, that we have too much money coming in to enter an IVA and it was reccomended that we start with a DMP and then if and when it comes to me losing these benefits then we would be liable for the IVA. I was passed over to VB, who have been great so far.
As Tina has said, you are already doing the right thing but you may be doing yourself a favour if you could contact them in some way as this may reduce the frequency of the calls and help you to feel a little more settled.
As you have suggested, you could contact them via secure online message if you have that facility. Alternatively, could you write to them and explain your situation?
Cheers,
Last edited by duracel on Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ah yes, I can now make the link yes I remember due to high level of household income overall in relation to the debts an interim DMP was a better way forward until such a time as the income dropped. Glad you are being well looked after by VB in the meantime and Melanie will be on standby as and when you may be in a position to look at an IVA in the future.
We're all behind you so when you feel unable to deal with it all remember you;ve got the strength of your friends on the forum.
Regards, Tina Shortland, Debt Advisory Manager for Melanie Giles at Debt Advice TV.
If you’re looking for effective debt related information, articles and news, then go now to our on-line advice service at www.debtadvicetv.com
If you’re ready to ask us for specific advice or help, then get in touch at www.call-me.debtadvicetv.com so you can start to free yourself from the stress and anxiety of overwhelming debt.
Thank you Tina. Look forward to maybe dealing with you in the future. I am sure there are a lot of people out there that are going through debt problems and maybe even going ahead with a DMP or IVA and dont know about the forum. It would be great if there was a way that it could be advertised so they could benefit from the care and advice that we all share. I found the forum by chance and without it i would be a nervous wreck with phonecalls and letters and all that comes with it. I wish my hubbie would read and maybe he would feel better about it all as i think it is secretely getting to him. He is normally the strong one.
You are so right Dawn. This forum as been a godsend to me whilst I have been deciding what to do. Without it, I wouldn’t have anywhere near the information and insight into what options are available.
Incidentally, like your OH, I always thought of myself as the ‘strong one’. I always ‘protected’ my wife and family from the stress of debt by hiding everything. My wife was blissfully unaware of anything until a couple of weeks ago. Finally, I couldn’t carry on any longer and had to tell her everything.
Fearing the worst, I had prepared to start looking for alternative accommodation!
However, I have to say that she has been fantastic. Despite a very difficult time initially, she has stood by me and has been a tower of strength and without her I would have undoubtedly crumbled. She has given me the strength to face it all and we are doing it together.
So.. I guess what I’m saying is, you both have different qualities and together they will see you through. Sum of the parts and all that.........
Last edited by duracel on Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I couldn't agree with you more Dawn - this forum seems to be a real life line for a lot of people and I have often said if only everyone out there struggling with debt knew we were here they would know there was a hope and they would find friends along the way too.
Have you suggested to hubbie to read on here, maybe try leaving a post open on the screen at home for him to "stumble across"!. If forums don't work for him I would be more than happy to have a chat with him to alleviate any concerns and I know the guys at VB would do too.
Either way, with you being on here and getting strength from it that will ultimately help him cope too
Regards, Tina Shortland, Debt Advisory Manager for Melanie Giles at Debt Advice TV.
If you’re looking for effective debt related information, articles and news, then go now to our on-line advice service at www.debtadvicetv.com
If you’re ready to ask us for specific advice or help, then get in touch at www.call-me.debtadvicetv.com so you can start to free yourself from the stress and anxiety of overwhelming debt.
I must say that my creditors were great also. LloydsTSB and Barclays were fine to deal with and, as someone else stated, MBNA never got in contact by phone, only letter. It was much less stressful than I anticipated but I did try to keep all my creditors up to speed...
I must say that my creditors were great also. LloydsTSB and Barclays were fine to deal with and, as someone else stated, MBNA never got in contact by phone, only letter. It was much less stressful than I anticipated but I did try to keep all my creditors up to speed...
Barclaycard and Mercers were my worst creditors - they hounded me constantly.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
RBS were the best I dealt with, they didnt even default me, just deleted my accounts on the credit reference agencies so no trace of them at all. Nationwide were worst, defaulted me 18 months late. For 18 months they didnt realise I was in an IVA and didnt even chase the debt!
"Just when you think that you can make ends meet, somebody moves the ends."
yes I remember due to high level of household income overall in relation to the debts an interim DMP was a better way forward until such a time as the income dropped. Glad you are being well looked after by VB in the meantime and Melanie will be on standby as and when you may be in a position to look at an IVA in the future.
