Starting IVA need some reassurance

[Shining]

You've both chosen a good IP to represnt you, who better than Melanie Giles. I am with Melanie and her team and the offer of contacting them in the set up of your IVA doesn't stop there it extends into the full working life of the IVA. I feel for an IP to be contactable is paramount in the choice of company to represent you and believe me when I say you'll not go far wrong with the choice you have made.

I hope it all works out positively for both of you and as others say we're all here for you. Do keep posting. x

[Hippo]

Hi
Try not to worry is what people will tell you to do but you must try ok : )
I know what its like where you are now and its very bewildering and you havent got a clue most of the time. If you are at the sorting paperwork out stage then I reckon yu are 99% sure to get your IVA I dont think a company would put you through all that unless they were pretty sure you would be accepted
I would also say pay each credit card or whoever a token payment for the month Sort out a bank account asap and then ride out the storm so to speak By the time your next statements are coming through and miffed off letters you will be on the way to your IVA so they will leave you alone thats what I found anyway I got a call from my card company and said I was starting the IVA ball rolling and take my telephnone numbers off your system and dont call me again thank you
Any letters you get then send to your IVA company to go kick there butts for you
Best advice is you have made the decision to go ahead you got into the mess now you are going to get yourself out Toughen up and focus on the getting the IVA set up and your first payments Once you get the phone call to say they have accepted you will be very very relieved and will have a good nights sleep for sure : )
Just think of it as a new Bank loan for 5 years everybody has some sort of loan you are not the only person and set targets for yourself The time will pass as everybody says Dont get all stressed and living under a cloud of what may or not happen Stay positive and calm Its not easy sometimes wondering what happens if something goes wrong or you lose your jobs etc same with everybody else Its only money at the end of the day and you are trying to make the best of it. You will feel stronger for it and make you see things in a new way and any problems you do have let your IVA Company know so they can help you out as and when You are allowed to miss 2 payments with good reason and also can have a payment holiday if things get bad
Just because its 5 years you may be able to clear the payments after a couple of years You are closing the Door on 1 big problem and opening a new door to a better way of dealing with this situation
Your IVA is just that Individual to you and I am sure the better companies can come up with some solutions if you hit any problems and work with you to resolve them so think positive Just follow your IPs instructions and you will be fine

I am just a Hippo but I will make it to the end next year
Keep playing a £1 on the lottery and if you do win send me a nice bundle of hay and a couple of apples ok !!

[Jo.58]

Thanks guys, I think we have made the right decision and chosen the right IP, I just need to stop worrying and be positive I'm sure Mel and her team willsort it out for us. I literally have no fingers nails left to bite with worry x x

[mattyboy]

Worrying is like riding an exercise bike, it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere.

At the end of the day all you have done is made a mistake with your finances at worst. Life throws up some awful things and financial problems can happen to anyone. You haven't committed a crime, having financial problems does not make you a bad person.

Finance and credit card companies are not your friends. They made a business decision to lend you the money at the time and unfortunately you cant now pay this money back for whatever reason. You've recognised this and are doing everything possible to pay as much as you can back and make a new start.

Taking out the IVA was the best financial decision I ever made. It taught me a valuable lesson on how to manage money and the value of money. Money doesn't make people happy, it can make life confortable and things easier but happiness comes from inside and the people around you. I also learned that there are more important things in life than money such as health, wellbeing and family.

It's perfectly natural to worry in the beginning but putting yourself through this process now will make you financially better off for the rest of your life. So a few weeks of worry for a secure financial future is not a lot on the scale of things.

Things will get easier. By the end of my IVA I am already looking forward to a bighter future. Just registering for a law degree as I can now finally afford to do it. There is light at the end of the tunnel! Good luck on your IVA journey. There will be times when it makes you feel low but you have the forum to discuss these feelings if like me you feel you cannot tell your family.

All the best

[kallis3]

I am sure that you will be fine.

As to token payments - it makes no difference whether you pay the creditors or not, I never did. It is what you are happy doing. I didn't answer the phone calls either!

We're here for you.

[Jo.58]

Lol Hippo that made me smile, you're right it's happened now we've got to deal with it. I'm gonna try and stay focused, thanks all for the advice x

[marksam1]

I am not with Mel but she is a very nice lady. Good luck both x

[KAYKAY]

Good luck Jo.58 and Sarah1967 on journeys into a debt free future. We finally completed this year after a 6 year IVA journey. I only found this forum 1 month before completion and really wish I had known about it sooner. You are both very fortunate that you have found it now, hence your decision to go with Mel's team, which I am sure was as a result of the posts on the forum. You have both faced your demons and decided to tackle them head-on. Yes the setting up of your IVA and the gathering of the paperwork is very stressful, but it is a means to an end, and when that end is to be DEBT FREE, then you will realise that it has all been worthwhile. Dont' forget you have the support of this forum, the members of which, have all been through what you are going through now. Good luck for the journeys ahead.

[Firefox]

Hi,

you are doing the right thing, try not to worry too much about the phone calls and general chasing from the CC companies, they will appear to be quite brutal but in reality there is not much they can do and as you are starting the IVA process they will back off soon enough. I think everyone here will know exactly how you feel, its scary at the start but it soon settles down and before you know it you will be counting the days until you are out the other side. Keep the forum updated with your progress, you will find a ton of support here ( I know I did ) I am sure you will be successful in your journey and it will inspire others. Best of Luck - FIREFOX