www.iva.co.uk

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone could advise me.

I have been in my IVA for 17 months now and have made my payments each month for £213 apart from a 3month period at the end of 2008 going into the beginning of 2009 as I was made redundant. I have always struggled to make my payments and my expenditure clearly states how much my bills are and how much i'm left with each month. I don't even have a contigency due to having to dip into it to make my full payment.

Things are extremely tight each month however I am happy to live with that - I brought this upon myself.

However I have had to move back home since the beginning of my IVA when my flat mate moved out and I took a lower paid job. This does not mean I get an easy ride however and I still have to pay for my own food and £450 rent each month as my parents feel I should learn from my mistakes. I informed my IVA consultant I was moving in with my parents at the time. They have also have a signed letter confirming the amount I pay each month towards rent and bills and they recieve all of my payslips every 6 months.

The past 3 months I have been pressured into getting out of my arrears. I keep stressing it is my intention to do so however when I don't have enough left over each month even as a contingency it is a bit difficult. I came into this aggreement realising it would be difficult but relieved I would not be hounded by creditors. I was also left aggitated this afternoon when my Mum made my payment using her debit card and she was asked several times if she could pay more. I have to have my wages put into my Mum's account each month whilst I find a bank account that will accept me. I was extremely embarrassed when several I went into asked me if I was bankrupt. I started off my IVA with a bank account however had my details stolen several months in and have struggled to find someone who will accept me without charging me each month. Charging me money I don't have. On top of this they were questioning my Mum today when they saw the address on her debit card was the same as the address I live it, as if I live at home rent free and they were not aware I was living at home.

I apologise in advance for the rant, only I am trying very hard to get myself out of this mess and it is small situations like this that make it that much harder. I am organsised and write a detailed letter with each 6 monthly review and provide all of my pay slips. I let them know of any change to my address or work and I just seem to be feeling more and more stressed.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Emma

Hi Emma
Ask your IVA provider to tag any arrears onto the end of your IVA, so you will pay for three months longer than originally agreed. You can't be expected to catch up on arrears if you have no excess income from overtime etc.
Have you tried the Co-operative Cashminder account ?
Regards

Hi and welcome to the forum, excellent idea of Andy's in respect of the arrears and would probably take that stress away from you.

I have a Natwest Step Account (basic) and that runs very well for me, a lot of people use the Co-op account and it does comes highly recommended.

I hope you sort something soon and do keep posting as we're all here to support and advise each other. x

Hi Emma,

Good advice given, hope it helps.

Which IVA company are you using? xx

Hello and thank you all for your replies x

I am with Varden Nuttall. I must say I haven't had large problems with them, just these couple of small niggly things. I can't say my Mum was best impressed when she begun asking her for more money - she had only called up to make a payment on my behalf and found it very unprofessional.

I will certainly look into the Co Op account as having my wages paid into my Mum's account each month is just not ideal.

It's very stressful being asked to pay more than my £213 payment each month and I am reminded of that all too familiar feeling of being chased.

Natwest step account is very good. This is one I personally chose. And you don't have to go into the store and apply. Just apply on-line. They've also stopped using SOLO and now use VISA.