How are we all coping?

[600andy]

Hi all,

Well, I am pretty sure with the economy as it is, that some or all of you, will be hurting every bit as much as we are. Costs have rocketed and you get so much less for so much more now. I have amazed myself just how much further we have cut - well beyond the point that we even thought we could, but we have, and were surviving, but it's the hardest it's been since we started our IVA. In some repsects, it's even harder now than when we had the debt. That said, 13 Months to go and we will have a bit more in our pockets. I am wondering how everyone else is coping and if anyone has been forced to take any drastic steps to cope?

[MrsKnight]

Hi Andy,

Yes I do believe we are all feeling the effects of the changes, even the IPs are too that post on the forum. I've got 22 months to go & I know we face some changes in our personal circumstances next year, but I'm trying to be positive as it will be our final year, so will just get on with it!

Regarding what we have changed, we no longer go away for the day as we just can't afford the extra petrol. We are lucky enough to live by the sea & the country is 10 mins away. We shop around alot more than before & have returned back to going to 2/3 shops for the weekly shopping, to save on offers etc. I'm often finding a week each month where I don't or can't go shopping & we live on what's in etc.

It's not easy & I do get days where I get really fed up, but knowing there will be a end to this all keeps me going.

[kat68]

hi,
i am only 3 months in, so my income and expenditure does reflect what i actually pay for everything, no nasty changes or surprises yet!

so at the moment all is good. its not easy, things can sometimes be tight, i hate having to say no to my teenage daughter, but realistically i am better off every month than i ahve been in years.

and knowing i will be debt free in 5- 6 years is still a great feeling.

but like i said i am very early on in my iva, so i have aknowledged that maybe a few years from now i wont be feeling quite so positive, who knows?

[littlefi]

Yep it sure is a struggle, things are so expensive, I shopped for food yesterday and looked at what I spent & what I had in the bags, it didn't seem much!

I'm also struggling big time as I'm self employed and in small retail and boy people aren't spending, and if companies like Habitat etc are going under there is not much hope for the little guys, I'm just hoping to brazen it out by doing a part time job and selling a few things of ours and hope against hope that things improve soon!

[600andy]

Yea, it's hard eh? My 16 year old is feeling deprived, and its hard when all his mates are going out, getting new clothes etc all the things we cant afford for him. My 6 year old isnt feeling it as she doesnt know otherwise, but I know she isnt getting the things I had when I was that age. But all in good time and we will be out the other end in just over a year (if we all survive that long!)

I have found doing an online Tescos shop every 3 weeks helps as it controls our spending. We do not go to the shops much now as the temptation is too great. We have a spending limit for online shopping and if its not within, we dont have it. The economy and own brands are not in all fairness that bad and it enables you to get a lot more for your money. We also grow a lot of salads and veg ourself which helps. I dropped out of fully comp insurance for the first time in 20 years and saved a lot of money by going TPF&T, and haved limited our winter heating temperatures to 21.....it is all small stuff, but adds up.

Hang on in there folks......

[plasticdaft]

We are cutting costs all over the place to save up what we can. I regularly lift share now to save fuel and am fortunate that I work 12 hour shifts so only travel 10 days in any 3 week period(thank god!!). If the wife is on annual leave we use the money saved off her fuel costs to buy extra bits and bobs.

Insurance and gas/electric are places that real savings can be made,so please dont stick with the one company as its EASIER!!! Shop around,and grab a bargain.

Paul

[MrsKnight]

It is hard when u have children, my boys are 8 & 6 and they grow so fast. We always been quite lucky with getting hand me downs from friends, which I have no objection too! Its the shoes & trainers I can't keep up with!
I have not been to Clarks for years, but I used to work for them so know abit about finding shoes that are a good fit, plus I've got a foot measurer to keep any eye on their growth.
I'm dreading the summer holidays, every year I say I'm going to be better prepared financially, but this year with having the car problems we have had & taking a payment break, it's going to be a long summer holiday.
I feel terrible when all their friends are going out to theme parks & farms & we are limited to going somewhere special to once a week at least. They both want swimming lessons, football clubs, beavers scouts etc & we just can't manage all of it.

But there will be an end to this journey & hopefully we can get them on track with everything then x
Farms, theme parks, holidays, holiday clubs & I have to limit going somewhere special to once a week if that. They both want & need swimming lessons, football clubs, beavers, Scouts, yet we just can't do it all. I don't mind going without but hate it when I can't manage the things they want x

[MrsKnight]

Excuse the messed up post above! server crashed twice when posting then again on trying to sort my post outby editing it!

[plasticdaft]

Our 14 year old has just discovered designer lables. Asked for a pair of jeans the other day by a maker I have never heard of. I pointed to the tesco label on my backside and said does it look like I know where to get designer jeans!! I think he got the point.

I decided to fill him in on our insolvency as he mentioned summer holidays and how all his mates are going abroad and we never go anywhere so I have promised that we are going to save up for a florida holiday paid for with cash up front this time(not credit like the last 2 visits!!). The saving starts now(well provided the wifes jeep doesnt cost too much to MOT this time round).

Paul

[ginger3232]

Something to look forward to -

Plasticdaft has you countdown stopped - it seems to be stuck on 7 payments to go ! - or does it just seem that way

[plasticdaft]

It will drop to 6 in a day or 2. Its because I am in scotland so insolvency is different. Instead of an IVA we have a trust deed,which runs for a shorter period of time but is pretty similar to an IVA,and admin couldnt do me a countdown so I just adjust it manually each month.

It has at times felt like it has stopped though!!!!

And then at other times I do wonder where the 3 years have gone.

Paul

[MrsKnight]

Bless ya Paul! Holiday in Florida sounds brilliant! Designer jeans?!?! I get annoyed with football teams changing their shirts as quick as the weather changes! My eldest is really into his football, & he always wants the latest shirt or the same football boots that his favorite football player, no chance!

They both got dsi for Xmas last year with the help from family. A neighbor boy of 5 got a PSP last week, not his birthday or anything, just a treat! Now my 2 want one, when it comes to treats for these 2 its a trip to the pound shop or McDonalds!

[Lisa2009]

I cant believe how much extra im paying for me weekly shopping compared to 2 years ago. Its unbelievable!

[Shining]

I totally agree since the start of the IVA I find I'm having to be even more frugal. Things are just increasing on a weekly basis - it's crazy for us all.

I told my daughter about our IVA as she lives at home and it affects her. She totally understands and it being pretty much self sufficient with a Saturday job etc., One day I'll treat her when my IVA has finished. x

[carole2662]

I notice the little we now buy when the lady on the check out asks how many bags we have used. We use to say 9 now we say 5. Same money less goods.Just waiting for our 2nd review to come back.