to those starting on the iva journey

[molly16]

its a tough decision to make but the best we did . we had the fear at the start re creditors meeting , we had massive debt , over 100k and something we are ashamed off . however we are going into yr 6 as couldnt eqiuty release . it has been the quickest 5 years of my life so far ! yes there have been sacrifices , we mamange to take the kids camping in summer hols every other year ( cant afford every year ) and have booked holiday keycamp in france next aug 30th when the prices drop, i can pay that at £6 per week and its piad by time balance is due . always have a couple of pound coins in my purse ( and i mean coins). i never have a bill flop on my doorstep, i even changed my gas and elec to meters so i know exactly how much cash i need to put on them weekly . i buy and sell the kids clothes on ebay as they outgrow them quicker than wearing them out and they always look neat and tidy . we still run 2 cars , one on 02 plate and the other 03 ,put money aside to pay mot , and buy car tax stamps at post office so even that doesnt hit hard . i buy whats on offer in supermarkets. and when things have been tight i can do a meal for 6 on £3 .... i sometimes surprise myself !! i saved hard as neded new carpet in my lounge ..... bought cheap n cheerful but it was so satisfying knowing its mine i paid for it and its not on the never never , gotta save for stairs next !!!! so when u have a low moment and they do come about , its not for ever , this is achieveable . we are all here for same reason and have tried hard to repay what we can to these companies , we will never be able to F&f so its full term for us , but im almost proud of that fact. and what have i learnt ,,,, so much ! i never ever want to be in that place again , i have more satisfaction paying cash , the things you buy seem to have far more value , as u cant whip out the plastic fantastic to replace. i can cook cheaply , i have an even stronger marriage , we never argue we got into debt together and we r getting out of it together . so to all of you starting out on this road , its not always easy but there is an end , it isnt forever. there will be some good times and bad . inform your ip of everything , then there shouldnt be any nasty surprises . all the best to evry one of you .
xxx

[kallis3]

Excellent post Molly!

[Shining]

What a lovely positive post. I'm sure it will help others, I've had low times within my IVA but always come out the other side and luckily I'm half way through now x

[molly16]

for some reason i feeling really positive !!! dont know why cos ive got chest infection

[Shining]

Hope you get well soon x

[kallis3]

Get better soon.

[ThriftyWitch]

Well, I am someone about to embark on the journey and your post is very encouraging - thank you!
I am totally and utterly scared to be honest, my biggest worry is making sure I have budgeted for cars (in fact I have just jotted down car tax stamps, definately something I am going to look into) as the cars were one of the biggest expences on our credit cards!
I am so worried I have forgotton even the smallest detail, so worried something I have forgotton will make it all go pear shaped, but try as I might I am sure I have remembered to tell my IP everything, I want them to know about every pound I get!

Biggest issue for me is my self pride, how did I get into this mess? Why did I?, I know I didn't go on any exotic holidays or buy flashy cars with my credit (not knocking anyone who did just to say thats not what I did), I just think that it was a combination of not having enough money to cover everything and totally bad planning on my part - if only I had implemented budgets early on, if only I had done better at school and got a better job....wichever way I look at it, I want to pay back as much as I can and say I am debt free in 5/6 years....sounds a long time and that gets me down but the reality of continuing the way I was is that my credit cards would not of been paid off until I was long gone and every month I would be standing in Tesco feeling sick that the £80 worth of food I just stuck on my Barclaycard was slowly and surely increasing what I had to pay back.

Thank you for such a positive post [:)]

[MelanieGiles]

What an inspirational post Molly - I am sure that many forum posters old and new will get so much out of readin about your own particular journey.

[Gettingthere]

Lovely post Molly and I am sure it has lifted a lot of us on here at the beginning of the journey, but as you say we all got into this more or less by our own mistakes along with bad luck some of the time but we all are doing our best to put things right. All the best to you and your family for your soon to be debt free future.

[New start]

Oh my goodness that is just the most amazing post!

Like thrifty witch we are just at the start of the journey. We have our creditors meeting in 2 weeks and i am scared. In fact everything about it scares me but i know what we are doing is the right thing and i am just ready to start now.

Thank you so much what what you have said and all the very best for you and your family for the future.

N

ps get well soon, i have a chest infection too boooooo

[Shining]

Get well soon to you too New Start and good luck for your creditors meeting, I'm sure you're doing the right thing and once it's accepted it will be a whole weight lifted and your new life will begin. x

[clareyfarey]

Loved your post Molly! Lots of people don't look at their IVA as a positive thing, but you have, and that's great to see! It's a long long road, but knowing that there is an end date has been a big thing keeping me going.......notching off those months!
It seems like you've learnt lots about yourself, and that can only be a good thing.
Congrats on doing so well, getting this far, and here's to a brighter, debt free future

Cx

[Julie]

Great post Molly and one that will help plenty of posters.

xx

[sadone]

its a tough decision to make but the best we did . we had the fear at the start re creditors meeting , we had massive debt , over 100k and something we are ashamed off . however we are going into yr 6 as couldnt eqiuty release . it has been the quickest 5 years of my life so far ! yes there have been sacrifices , we mamange to take the kids camping in summer hols every other year ( cant afford every year ) and have booked holiday keycamp in france next aug 30th when the prices drop, i can pay that at £6 per week and its piad by time balance is due . always have a couple of pound coins in my purse ( and i mean coins). i never have a bill flop on my doorstep, i even changed my gas and elec to meters so i know exactly how much cash i need to put on them weekly . i buy and sell the kids clothes on ebay as they outgrow them quicker than wearing them out and they always look neat and tidy . we still run 2 cars , one on 02 plate and the other 03 ,put money aside to pay mot , and buy car tax stamps at post office so even that doesnt hit hard . i buy whats on offer in supermarkets. and when things have been tight i can do a meal for 6 on £3 .... i sometimes surprise myself !! i saved hard as neded new carpet in my lounge ..... bought cheap n cheerful but it was so satisfying knowing its mine i paid for it and its not on the never never , gotta save for stairs next !!!! so when u have a low moment and they do come about , its not for ever , this is achieveable . we are all here for same reason and have tried hard to repay what we can to these companies , we will never be able to F&f so its full term for us , but im almost proud of that fact. and what have i learnt ,,,, so much ! i never ever want to be in that place again , i have more satisfaction paying cash , the things you buy seem to have far more value , as u cant whip out the plastic fantastic to replace. i can cook cheaply , i have an even stronger marriage , we never argue we got into debt together and we r getting out of it together . so to all of you starting out on this road , its not always easy but there is an end , it isnt forever. there will be some good times and bad . inform your ip of everything , then there shouldnt be any nasty surprises . all the best to evry one of you .
xxx

Your post was amazing and had my husband and I in tears, we met with an IP this week and have started the process, I am terrified the IVA will fail and I cant think about anything else, I'm so scared [:(]

[justsurviving]

Excellent, Excellent post.

Sadone, firstly welcome to the forum, being terrified the IVA will fail is the most natural feeling in the world, EVERYONE who posts here will tell you that, I felt the same way, worried about what you're going to do if it does fail, how you're going to manage. Well I'm happy to say we had our IVA accepted today, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You've taken the hardest and most important step, admitting to yourself you've got a debt problem and seeking help to try and resolve it. You will have worries along the way but one thing is for certain you have any questions or worries, post them on here, there's always an understanding ear and someone to give sound advice. We've all been where you are now and know what your going through but your far from on your own.
Good luck and try not to worry too much I'm sure it'll turn out for the best.

Jon