First step taken today

[lola422]

After weeks of reading all your posts on this site I finally plucked up the courage and made that call to Mel's team today. Even though it's only the beginning I feel relieved to have spoken to someone about my debt problems. I know it will be a bumpy few months, and not looking forward to the harassing phone calls, but hopefully it will all be worth while if my IVA gets approved, and this site gives me hope. It's also helped answer some of my questions. I've already managed to get a new bank account sorted with Coop so at least I know that's one step taken. Thanks to you all for your support and info. It has helped me take that step forward.

[kallis3]

Hi Lola and welcome to the forum.

Well done for taking that first step. It does take a lot of courage to pick up the phone.

You've picked an excellent team. The forum of course will be here for any advice and support you may need.

Great news on the bank account.

[Struzzo39]

Hi and welcome to the forum from us too. Iwish we had found this site too pre-iva. I personally feel you've done one of the hardest things and admitted theres a problem and sought advice. Which isn't easy. We did get phonecalls but I think we were lucky compared to some as they weren't that persistant. Ours were in more form of letters. Good luck on your road ahead, cant say its easy learning to budget and say no again, but for us its been a positive experience so far and worth it all and looking forward to a debt free 2015!!!

[Shining]

Welcome to the forum from myself too. You've made the hardest step and now Melanie and her excellent team will guide you in the right direction. All the best and do remember where we are for any advice/support you need. xx

[Tina Shortland]

I'm glad we've been able to help you lola422 and the team will be right there with you along the way as well as all the lovely people on here - we'll be your guide and they will be your rock.

[St75]

You are with a great team lola. When I first spoke to Tina (who's just made the previous post) I felt very relieved that there was actually something that could be done about our debts.

Tina was excellent. She was very understanding and non-judgemental, and she was very knowledgeable answering any questions I had, which put my mind at rest about a few things from the outset. (Tina, you really deserve a lot of credit, thank you)

The rest of the team who helped me were Tom, Angela and Mel herself, of course. Everyone was brilliant, and reassured me any time I was worried about anything. They explained everything clearly and made the whole process a lot less frightening than it might otherwise have been.

So, you have done the hardest / scariest part by making the first call, and the rest should be a lot easier with such a great team behind you.

My wife and I had our IVAs approved last Thursday.

[david.68]

Hi lola, Im in the same boat.Just made the call to the IP and await their first call back. 5/6 years doesnt seem a long time but in practice I feel like it will be forever. Nobody deliberately falls into debt, who wants the hassle that comes with it? I will visit this site on a regular basis and hope a few years down the line that I can be of help to other people who are just starting out.
Good luck.

[Tina Shortland]

Bless you st75, thank you

[lola422]

I agree with you all,and I think admitting you have a problem is the biggest hurdle. I agree that 5/6 years seems quite a long time, but the way I look at it is I would rather that than be struggling for the next 20 years with debt that is out of control, and I'm not getting anywhere with. Constantly robbing Peter to pay Paul. Constantly worrying how I will make each payment and having to borrow from friends and family just to make my debt payments each month. I know it will be hard working within a tight budget, but I can't rely on the generosity of my family for ever. I knew I couldn't continue like that.I agree that Tina is a star. Very understanding and informative. She helped me so much on the first call. I thank you all on here for your support too. It makes you feel less alone.

[Shining]

So pleased the forum was of help lola. Keep posting and all the best. The 5/6 years should go surprisingly quickly. I'm 32 months in now and that has flown by. X