hello

[orchid5]

Hi all, hope that you are all well, I thought I would drop in to say hi to everyone and give an update on where I am now 3 years since having completed my IVA.

I have recently got married and have now rented out my home which I kept whilst in my IVA. I have also been promoted at work into a dream job, which initially started out as a project but after doing a very in-depth business plan proved its worth,( being a nurse that was very difficult, not business minded at all) I fully enjoy it albeit it does have its own challenges and frustrations, however I find that exhilarating.

I still live life very frugally, I try to keep my husband on the straight and narrow as he is one of these people who goes to the ATM and draws money without checking what has gone out etc, I continue to check my bank statement every month and carry around with me my outgoings so will bob to the bank when in town and get a statement from the ATM to check what has gone out, in the past I just didn't bother and that was how I ended up in my IVA, alongside a broken marriage.

I have recently been awarded a CRP refund which I'm in the process of getting back as I paid a 100p back. The memories of the PPI fiasco still very fresh in my mind, although that helped me immensely as allowed me to pay off my debt in full. The only downside to all of my experiences is that having maintained my mortgage payments throughout my IVA, never missing a payment etc, having got a phone contract which wasn't a problem, I applied for a loan on a car and everything was fine till I submitted the application and the interest went from 4% to 11.5%, needless to say I didn't take the loan! I do have a credit card but pay off each month what I use and the 'old do I need it' often comes in now and I find myself putting things back on the shelf!

This is a very 'me' story but I just wanted to visit and say to all of you who are embarking on your IVA journey, it isn't easy, there will be times when you feel isolated, not got any money etc but there is life ahead of you and when you receive that completion certificate that is one of the best feelings in the world. This forum is a big support and whilst you may not always agree with the answers, the advice is very good.

Good luck to each and everyone of you. xxxxx

[kallis3]

Hi and nice to see you back.

Glad to see that you are doing well after your IVA and congrats on the marriage.

I finished two years ago and it is great knowing that my money is mine although I'm not quite as frugal as you!! I check my bank account daily and keep a running check on the outgoing payments.

Keep it up!!

[orchid5]

Lovely to see you too Kallis3 as I hadn't seen you for a while before completing.

Congratulations on your completion , fab news and such a good feeling. I remember when I first joined reading about people who had or were completing and wishing that was me, that time soon flew by though and many lessons learnt along the way too. As you can see a lot have stayed with me too. Hope you have a fantastic Xmas and that 2016 brings you all that you wish for.

Xx

[kallis3]

I hadn't been on for a while due to family problems but I've been back since the middle of last year.

It does seem like a long time but you know creditors can't contact you and you will be debt free at the end.

Don't be a stranger on here as your input would be invaluable to other posters.

[orchid5]

I will certainly do that, this forum was my saviour and allowed me to vent more than once! Oops.

[kallis3]

I think we all vent at times!!

[Lisa Thomas]

A nice post and encouragement to others on the forum going through their IVAs that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you

[plasticdaft]

Great to catch up and it just shows that life goes on after an iva.

Paul

[orchid5]

Thank you all, it I can be of any help to anyone then please don't hesitate to ask, I'm not an expert by any means but have been through what most of you are going through now.

[kallis3]

Your advice will be gratefully accepted!!!

[Michael Peoples]

Welcome back and an excellent post.