My home

[Snow Dog]

Hi Skippy..are you ready for this?? We have 3 dogs (one being a husky hence the snow dog name[:D]) 2 cats (we just rescued one last week) 2 budgies, 1 cockatiel and 2 chickens[;)]..they are all my babies[8D]

[luluj]

Wow!!!!! Make sure that your IVA allowance supports the food for all those animals -personally I am not a great animal lover, however I can understand and appreciate what you are saying!

[Snow Dog]

No worries about feeding them all, at the moment, because we own a pet shop[;)] (although I am planning to give this up next year when the lease runs out)

[luluj]

Even still...when completing your I&E you need to ensure you put down what it would cost you to feed them so that it is based on a true affordability of your income and expenditure...you do not want to agree to a payment amount, which in 12 months time will become unrealistic.

[Skippy]

You need a small holding rather than a house!

I do understand how you feel about your animals - they are part of the family and I'd never get rid of my cat. I'd live in a tent rather than get rid of Harry.

[Snow Dog]

[:D]I really do need a small holding..lol. But yes, in all seriousness, If we do have to move out then I guess we would have to do some hunting about to get someone to take us with all of these animals.

[Skippy]

Good luck, I really really hope you find something suitable for you and the animals if you do have to sell x

[Soulgrowth]

Just wanted to say good luck Snow Dog, do let us know how you get on with your chat on Wednesday. I hope your business isn't proving to be too much of a financial drain on you ... it was my family retail business that ultimately tipped me into an IVA.

Debbie

[kallis3]

Quite surprised to read that someone has had to sell their house because their mortgage payments etc were more than 48% of their monthly income.

Our monthly mortgage and secured loan amount to about 55% of our monthly income, and we were never told to sell our home.

[luluj]

I think it depends on your circumstances and the level of debt..to be honest now looking back on things.....itwas the house that cost us alot of money, and had we have stayed in it, it probably would have caused us more upset and anger and we may not have got the shake of disabelief and turmoil that we did get having to move out....for us it has all turned into the right way forward...for others possibly not...no regrets on myside!

12 down 48 to go and still smiling

[Snow Dog]

To be honest Lulu the situation with our business is not helping our financial problems. The shop has gone really quiet in the last few months, which of course means that I am struggling to take a wage from it which means that we have got in arrears with unsecured loans and credit cards The shop itself is not in financial difficulty as I always make sure I have the money for the rent and rates etc, so it does hold its own right now..but as I say I am not getting paid. It has all just snowballed really, as it does with everyone I am sure. The bank (in our personal account) honours direct debits that we can't make due to my lack of wages which pushes us over our overdraft limit, and then charge us a fortune for being over the overdraft limit..and we just cannot crawl back from this..which is why we are applying for the IVA as we just can't take it much more of the banks phoning up at all hours giving us grief. Also my husband is self employed (cab driver) and like anywhere else things are quieter there so he isn't quite bringing in the money he was. So yeah, sadly..some bills just are not getting paid.

[luluj]

Talk it through with the IVA company and take several companies advice before deciding your best option.....the next few weeks will be difficult,however you have done the hardest by acknowledging it is time to do something about things - all of us on here have been through it...some have come out the other side, others like me are entering the middle territory......we will all support you...best of luck

[Soulgrowth]

An all too familiar story Snow Dog ... I can empathise with you. You are doing the right thing to take control at an early stage.

Debbie

[Snow Dog]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and support. I already feel happier. I may actually sleep well tonight. I will let you know how things go on Wednesday[;)]

[Lisa2009]

I thought i was bed for my pets LOL
2 dags, 2 cats, 2 horses, 1 parrot and a rat.