Well done on getting through your 1st Xmas in an iva.
It was my 1st too. Bit tight but managed and what a great feeling knowing that it was all done without the use of credit.
Still had a fab time just pulled the reins back a bit.
I'm going to put away what I can every week to help towards Xmas 2013.
Congratulations to all of you. Even after 6 Christmases on iva it's still a great feeling to know that there are no bills in January. Thank heaven for Park!
Well i cancelled xmas as i was ill with flu the week before so i told my family to stay at their own homes..I had allready got their presents..But i feel so down about IVA that i dont think i am going to bother with xmas again well until its over and done with..Its just a day so why stress over a day..If i have to get guests next xmas then i will need to start sorting it out months in advance as money is very tight..
Mothergoose -- you could go for an "all traditional christmas" .... put some straw in the shed and tell guests they are staying there, as there is no room at the Inn.
My opinions are merely that .. opinions based on experience. Always seek professional advice.
IVA Completed 23rd July 2013 .... C.C. 10th January 2014
font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:<hr height="1" noshade>Originally posted by Anthony.78
we have ordered the vouchers from park for this coming xmas- pay in advance, and can spend them in loads of shops
My hesitation with Park is that old question...what if they go bust. You've paid your money in all year and they disappear at the end of October. This happened a few years ago with their main competitor didnt it?
I've had a good look on the website and the money goes in trust, with 2 external directors having to approve release of funds for operating costs etc. Which does provide a measure of comfort. I'm not sure what they could do which would be stronger than this. They clearly have acted which is a good thing, and there is financial protection. I'm just slightly reticent about trust funds as I've seen how they can be manipulated in my industry and the pot left bare when the worst happens.
I was more impressed by the website than I was expecting to be, in all honesty.
Park have bee around a while -- but then, so were Farepak ( and Comet, come to that!). In this day and age nothing is secure any longer!
This year I have joined the Tesco Christmas Club and save my loyalty points in that, as well as top up with a couple of quid at each weekly shop. This will also bring me £6 bonus points (every little helps).
Now .. just hope Tesco don't follow Comet!
My opinions are merely that .. opinions based on experience. Always seek professional advice.
IVA Completed 23rd July 2013 .... C.C. 10th January 2014
You don't need to give your money to someone else to save for Christmas, just put it in a savings account which is what I do. Why risk giving it to a company that could go bust, like others have said, just work out how much you would like to put aside and open a simple instant access savings account. You are then in control of it. Obviously you need to have the self discipline of not touching it but that is all part of living in an IVA and that is how I save for everything that I might need over the short term - car tax, birthdays etc.
