Last time I went to a decent bar it was about £8 for a glass of house and upwards of £12 for a cocktail. Not been out since my IVA started tho so probably more now!! I have a good job but even without my IVA payment I don't think I could afford a good standard of life in London. Went to the cinema today...£11 for the ticket, £7 for a small popcorn and coke and a fiver on the tube. London seems to be surrounded by a velvet rope now and it's closed off to the likes of me and Jo Bloggs.
Indeed - what set me off about getting a credit builder credit card in the first place was that a cousin of mine in London has rather inconveniently decided to get married on 26th March which is a few days before payday for me. Those of us from up country have been booked into a hotel, a nice one...that is going to cost £122 per night. As I do not have an overdraft facility and have had to fund The Money Pit aka my car through some expensive repairs, that could have been embarrassing, but luckily my parents are going and are able to help me out.
As mention before look at pre paid ones - that build your score - you can top it up and use it online etc (ok you pay a monthly charge) but you have the added security that noone can access your current account. That why i use my Credit card like a debit card and pay it off monthly
It would be nice to have a cushion for just that type of unexpected expense and credit gives you just that when you use it sparingly.
I find that people almost expect you to have credit now so don't consider things like this - I had to explain to my boss that the reason I never fund huge expenses is because I don't have a card or overdraft to shove them on until I'm reimbursed.
I must admit that an overdraft is something I never want to have again and I probably won't bother with a credit card.
Not likely to want (or be able to get) a mortgage due to my age more than anything else but I'll be happy to build up my credit rating again in case I do need a new car.
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
I have that exact same problem at work in regards to expenses. But I was talking with my bank, the Co-op, the other day and we are going to talk in the autumn about upgrading my Cashminder account and I might also be cheeky and ask them for a credit card...
It felt really intrusive to have to explain myself. But it was either fess up to not having credit or seeming like a tight whatsit every time a big cost comes up. Hobson's choice!
I am really behind in all this... so how do i find out what my credit rating is? what should it be? All my bills are dd so have always been paid on time will this really build up my credit rating cos i really dont ever want a credit card again it would be so tempting...(A nice new wardrobe or lovely holiday) the things i and my kids have missed out on over the past 5 years. Would getting an od be hard to get cos my bank as offered me od whilst been in my iva?.
You can build up your credit rating by making sure that things like your bank account, mortgage/rent are all up to date and also things like your mobile phone contract (if you have one).
Check your credit record to see what is recorded against you, but if your bank offered you an overdraft whilst you were in an IVA then you shouldn't have a problem getting one once you have finished.
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
Banks will offer you anything, it's only when you come to apply when they do the credit check that they will turn you down.
The number of times i've been into my branch and they have offered me a overdraft, credit card, mortgage, insurance or a financial review!!! I've lost count. Often wonder if they are on commission, and tend to avoid the counter these days.
If you've been in a IVA then the minimum amount of time your credit file will be impacted is 6 years. You will probably have to do some work to clear it, otherwise it could be longer if previous accounts have been defaulted after your IVA agreed date.
Hope some of that is helpful wonderwoman
We're willing to wipe the slate clean, give you a fresh start. All that we're asking in return is your cooperation.
inaiva (great username)
did you have to do a review when you paid your last payment or did you just pay and now just waiting for your cert. do you know what my credit rating should be sorry for been so dumb in all this lol x
Hi inaiva - you're right. The online and letter 'invitations' and the pitch in branch are all marketing/sales techniques to increase the value of every customer. The screening happens after application because it's cheaper, quicker and less complicated than segmenting the database and marketing appropriately to each individual.
I didn't have to do a review when I paid my last payment, Payplan just wrote to me and said last payment had been made, cancel the standing order, and I got my completion certificate within two weeks.
My credit rating is actually fair, believe it or not, but it isn't stopping me getting turned down for credit, as I still have to wait for the defaults to drop off, and like inaiva rightly says, I am having a fight to get the ones with the wrong default date altered. For me, there is urgency because I need to buy a car and will need finance.
- It was when i live down there 
