I can't see us ever getting through our IVA

[lem]

I'm sorry everyone for being negative but things are just getting on top of me.

we are almost 10 months into our IVA and every month there just seems to be one thing after another that has used up our contingency and eaten into our monthly allowances and things are just getting tighter and tighter and I don't know how to cope.

We have had car repairs to fork out for (over £500), we need four new tyres (at £80 each) which we have needed for a few months but haven't been able to afford to get yet, cooker repairs, another £250, my fridge is not working properly, the boiler this morning is now not working and I have had enough.

Our IVA payment is only £260 a month so a 15% reduction would make no difference, we are in good secure jobs but it's just getting too much, we need a new fire as the one in the room doesn't work so there is no heating in there.

I am so down because me and my husband have always worked hard we both have respectable jobs (he's a prison officer I'm a nurse) and we are just getting nowhere in life, our debt was mainly due to excessive spending because we just seem to be jinxed throughout our lives, things always seem to have gone wrong that have cost loads to put right, more money than we have had at the time.

We're only 10 months in and look at us?, our boiler regularly breaks down but as it's oil we're limited to who can fix it anyway, can't afford to replace it (would be about 2.5k) and I just can't see a way though all this. It feels worse than before we had the IVA, at least back then we could get credit, I know that isn't the answer but neither is this, struggling to afford everything every month because of some large bill, why is it constantly going wrong????

[kallis3]

Lem, don't apologise at all. I know just how you feel at the moment. We too are having the year from hell! Not had quite so many problems with appliances, just a £500 bill for the central heating boiler, our are family problems and we are just lurching from one crisis to another.

Take heart though - you WILL get through it and things will get better.

Sending you virtual hugs.

[plasticdaft]

We had a spell like that at the start of our trust deed,when my car's turbo blew up,and knackered the engine. Too expensive to fix so had to arrange a payment break to buy a runaround,also the wifes MOT came in at £800(ABS sensor things,plus other bits and bobs).

Our cooker was broken before our insolvency started and only 2 of the gas hobs actually turn on,and getting them to light is like a magic trick.

I know now all these things were little tests for us to get through,but all you can try and do is the best that you can. Life really does like to kick you in the plums(or lady plums) when you are down.

Lem,if you dont mind me asking,what does your money go on? Do you have a large mortgage? I am just thinking that even if you werent paying your IVA you would maybe still be struggling,as its sounds like you are pretty stretched.

You could ask for a review of your income and expenditure or for a payment break to get something fixed. Your IP is there to make sure the IVA continues to be workable.

I wish I knew how to fix a boiler,because I'd come and sort it for you!!!

Paul

[orchid5]

Awww Bless you Paul, hey maybe there is a boiler expert here that could possibly help, form something like a co-operative so to speak. Lem i second what Jan has said being able to talk about this, whilst not being able to solve what you are facing at the moment might help you in other ways, I'd do as both Paul and Jan have suggested and speak to you IP to see if there is a way forward and whilst i don't agree with second hand tyres have you thought about getting some part worn ones, they will work out cheaper and hopefully get you by. Take care and be safe, you will get through this. xxx

[plasticdaft]

try blackcirlces online for tyres as well,you can select a local garage for them to deliver to and they can be very reasonably priced(you can select to have them fitted too).

My MOT is due in may,but the car is squeaking like mad when I go round a bend,I think one of my back brakes is rubbing.

Wish I had a bike,and the figure of a man who can be seen on a bike!!!

Paul

[footiemad]

Lem I'm really sorry to hear that things are so stressful at the moment and although I can't offer any decent advice on how to get these things fixed, I do think you should speak to your IP and at least get a payment break for a few months. Tyres are so important and so is heating at this time of year. I sincerely hope that you manage to get through this tricky time because there is light at the end of the tunnel x

[Car1e]

So sorry to hear that things are tough for you right now Lem, it can sometimes be tricky to see light at the end of the tunnel! Perhaps you do need to have a word with your IP and see if they can suggest either a payment break or perhaps a review of your I&E? I wish you all the very best x

[janderson]

Hi Lem

I know how it feels, we are paying the same amount as you and it is a struggle.

Our car need some work on it. A sensor of some description it costs around £500 to sort out and is currently not working. We have been told it does not affect the cars running it is just a worry that we are not able to fix it.

On the prob of your heating. If you are an home owner you may qualify for a grant form the energy companies to sort it out.

Check out energy saving trust website. Do you have a salvation army or other charity locally that could help with a replacement cooker/ fridge etc

CAB could advise on what else is out there to assist you with grants and support too.

[plasticdaft]

Unfortunately most grants dont work on disposable income,just total income,or you must be in receipt of one type of benefit to qualify.

Worth asking coz if you dont ask you dont get but dont expect much success.

Paul

[Tina Shortland]

HI LEm - please don't struggle on your own and get more stressed and into a mess - payment breaks and I&E reviews are there for these kind of reasons - you' can't possible cover all those things with the same budget as when you started.

Speak to your IP asap and see what can be done to move forward sensibly and keep in touch - we don't want you getting down with it all.

Regards,

[Firefox]

Hi Lem,

I can remember so many times when I thought the end would never come, it was always when the car failed it mot or the boiler packed up, or some other domestic disaster was looming. Just take a deep breath and take stock. I put up a post on budgeting a few months back which might help, I will see if i can find it and will post the content on this thread for you.

Keep your chin up.

[lem]

Do you know, you lot really are amazing and have cheered me up no end, I think sometimes you think you are the only one where everythng seems to be going wrong, hubby has had to come home form work and managed to fix the boiler so we have heating again, he fortunately can take the rest of the day off as there are plenty of staff on today otherwise he would have done 120 miles today (more fuel!)

My daughter had braces fitted at the end of November but they are breaking every week and I am having to take her back every week at the moment which is a 40 mile round trip, it doesn't sound much but that's working out an extra £30 a month on fuel at the moment too and all these things are adding up.

I don't know what is wrong with the fridge, the temp on it says it's fine and it sounds fine but when you open the door it feels the same temp as the rest of the kitchen and everything in there doesn't feel cold, but we can't afford to get that looked at yet.

Our mortgage is fixed at the moment, it costs us 25% of our total take home pay, no not excessive but not small either, it's just average I guess.

I know we have a review coming up in the next couple of months anyway so I guess we will just have to muddle through until then, I have kept receipts from all the car repairs etc over the last few months so hopefully we will be able to back up anything we need increasing, I should have a small pay rise in March anyway which hopefully we might be able to keep without altering our base IVA payment.

thank you so much everyone again, you really don't know how much it helps just to hear I'm not alone xxx

[Shining]

Lem you know where I am on or off the forum. You've a good IP...talk to her.

I had so many issues in the first 18 months of my IVA that without Melanie it would most certainly have failed.

One thing at a time, although I honestly do know how you feel!


You'll never be alone whilst you're a member of the forum. I know those first 18 months were the worst ever for me and I thought this will never work but eh 49 months in this month and things appear to have settled down....hang in there Lem and contact me whenever you want. xx

[shrews]

I know what you mean about tyres Lem we had to have 4 new ones on are car to pass the mot end of last year not good.Keep smilling and hope things are better soon for you.x

[kev59]

font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:<hr height="1" noshade>Originally posted by orchid5

whilst i don't agree with second hand tyres have you thought about getting some part worn ones,

ok its better to buy new if you can,
not meet a person yet that buy a second hand car then buy 4 new tyres for it.

If anyone needs car repairs near to j25/m25. I would be happy to help for free.