Payments do go up and down. In my first year, I was paying £365 per month but due to a pay rise, this went up to £397 per month. However in year 3 what with cost of living increasing dramatically etc my payment came back down to £365 per month, and I have just had my review to take into my 4th year ...

I was thinking exactly the same thing. I have a Step account with a Solo card and it would be very helpful to have a normal Visa Debit Card as Solo is still not accepted in many places. Can't even order cheap advance train tickets on line! I have got a pre-paid credit card now with FairFX which has ...

Congratulations. That's fantastic news. What a good start to the new year!

So sorry to hear about Northern Rock, but your IP should be able to negotiate if they can understand the reason for the rejection. Keeping fingers crossed for you, but I'm sure it will work out. Keep us all updated.

Best of luck for tomorrow. I'm sure it will be fine. I've just been through the worry as you know but got there in the end. Keep us posted, and try to take something to help you sleep tonight if possible. What time is your meeting?

Well done! It's difficult admitting up to the problem and even more doing something about it, and the preparation and waiting process is agonising but definitely worth it. I know the next few years will be difficult but I see it as a managed few years where as long as I keep my side of the deal I lo...

still can't believe I've been ACCEPTED!
It's just such a relief.
I know there is a long way still to go, but for me I really see this as a fresh start in my life.

Just wanted to thank everyone so much for their support and encouragement. I don't know how I have got through each day recently, as my home situation is far from good and I haven't had the strength yet to tell anyone about my financial issues. There are times when it really is possible to feel very...

And better still I know that I have a budget for fuel. It costs me a fortune to get to work each day and I was always juggling this between cards. So nice to know that I have an allowance for it now. Have been spending my clothes allowance on xmas pressies in case anyone is wondering. Figured I will...

Also forgot to mention with my list of creditors votes that I had 2 store cards.
1 Dorothy Perkins (GEC) £470
1 House of Fraser (GEC) £2,000
neither of these voted.
Nice to now be spending cash in Fraser's especially in their sales. And Dorothy Perkins have nice watches for £7 at the moment!

I was quite good with the sale items to be honest. There is a huge new shopping mall which has just been built near where I live which meant that some of the shops which were moving into it had 70% off closing down sales. Not bad when this included House Of Fraser! Got some really nice things for al...

Am feeling really good tonight. Had a nice dinner and took stock of the bargains I have had in the sales over the past few months. I made an initial set up payment 3 months ago and then 2 payments towards my IVA while it was being 'processed' so I have been on a budget since then, but have been able...

Kallis3 I have just read your blog. Very interesting and a story not so far from my own. Just for your interest, I am looking into getting a pre-paid credit card to help me out from time to time. I have been lucky enough to get a solo card from Natwest but this is not accepted everywhere which can b...

I just feel like a huge weight has been lifted. I'm definitely going to relax tonight and enjoy a nice glass of wine with my omelette. Got most of the ingredients from a friends farm so am feeling really pleased with that! PS found mini bottles of weightwatchers dry white wine on 4 bottles for £5 at...

In case it's useful for anyone here are the results of my votes. I had no rejections. Lloyds TSB £21,000 voted YES. HBOS £1,500 voted YES with condition of higher payment. This has been negotiated and no higher payment will be persued. Vanquis £750 voted YES. La Redoute Catalogue £190 voted YES. Egg...