www.iva.co.uk

I completed my IVA through F&F on 15 Nov. 2010, I moved out and rented a small place, do not feel the pressure of debts anymore, but my attitude towards spending has not changed, I can shop on unnecessary items and stay for days on bread and tuna and salad, my question to luluj, how did carry on saving and not spending. thanks

Luluj has had some inheritance which enabled her to sort out her IVA and manage to get a mortgage.

I think she is just being frugal with her spending.

Hi Tuta
I too did a F & F last October, and a lot has happened to me this year including moving house. I too have become an ardent saver. A budget was done for me by Mel incase I decided to go down the five year route and have religiously stuck to this. to such an extent that when I went to the FF in July, I took ham sandwiches to save me the cost of breakfast[:I]For the first time in my life I am planning/saving/doing in that order. I never want to be in that dark place again, although if I am honest its not been easy. but so worthwhile...

Hi Tuta, I feel for you because I'm the same. I have an obsessive/ addictive streak that makes me spend on silly things and then not have enough to eat properly! Do you have someone who can hold onto your savings for you? x

One thing I do make sure of is that there is enough to eat in the house. I think my days of impulsive purchases (and I've had a few!!) are well and truly over!!

I'm the same Jan, what I need and what I want are two different things, but I do need food!!

Too right!!!!

Sorry for not replying but been diagnosed yesterday with 4 prolapsed discs in my back and was a little in shock somewhat !

Since our IVA finished we have continued to live to our IVA budget .... all extra money has been put towards savings either via an ISA account, a pension pot for hubby or for general savings / car maintenance - we have allowed £200 per month for DIY and ad hoc extra's such as additional car maintenance etc but we that is all.

Yes I did inherit to enable the house purchase, but once the deposit was paid we have lived on our salaries.

It is a matter of strong willed and determination to prove to our famlies we will not go their again!

We enjoy a drink or two at the weekends, and occasionally have the meal out ..... we have booked a holiday abroad for two weeks next year, but only when I had saved enough to pay for it in cash.....

Hope this helps !

Oh luluj not good, I can imagine the shock.

I wish I could say my impulsive spending days were over but I don't think they are, luckily I don't have the funds to test myself but I don't consider myself rehabilitated ...yet. x

Would your impulsive buys come at the expense of food though Lesley? Mine certainly wouldn't.

ooh no Jan...food a very important part of my life. I can cut down on food purchases to manage some weeks if necessary but never sacrifice.

We can cut down sometmes but there's always been enough food in the house for us to eat properly.

thanks to all of you, I do not have have someone who can hold onto my savings for me. I avoid go to high street shops, when I do disaster happens. I tried to put my money in a saving tin, after a while I open it and my shopping appitite come back dancing.councelling did not work what else can I do?

Only take out as much as you will need for your weeks shopping, that might help. Just go straight to the supermarket with a list and stick to it.

You could try hypnotherapy.

I admit I still tend to impulse buy. Since my CofC has taken a long time to get produced due to my creditors not sumbitting claims, my IP allowed me to get a Credit Card with a small limit on it to start the rebuld process of my credit rating. I ensure that any impulse buys are done on that card - so I can't go crazy,and have arranged for a full payment of it to come out of my bank on every payday, and refused every credit limit increase they have offered.