www.iva.co.uk

Hi, I have just been thinking about Christmas and it has dawned on me that this year everything I buy for Christmas is going to be paid with by my own hard earned money. For as long as I can remember I have relied on credit cards, catalogues, loans etc to pay for Christmas then spending the next year paying minimum amounts on them only for it to start all over again the next Christmas. It is a lovely feeling knowing that I will be going into 2013 with no more debt!!!!!!! x

Hi

I think going back to using cash and a debit card with no overdraft really makes you appreciate your hard earned money and I think you probably will put much more thought into every present you buy.

Regards

That is so true Andy, in the past Ive just handed a credit card over (well it didnt feel like real money did it lol) and bought alot of impulse buys but now I think more about what Im buying and do I really need it x

I'm doing Park for the first time this year Tracey..so come mid November I'll get £300 worth of vouchers and at least can sleep easy knowing my little boy will have a brilliant christmas! [:D] x

That is great news Tracey - it will be such a good feeling to buy things and not feel guilty or worried about the impact it will have on everything else.

Happy shopping!

Hi Tracey

What an amazing feeling.

I've used Park for many years and you're right, its nice going into January not facng any huge biils because of Christmas over indulgence.

Good for you [:)]

the supermarket saving stamps can make a difference,you can save a little each week and it soons adds up.

Paul

I will also be having a christmas debt free, it is amazing what you can do by 1) saving stamps each week for a certain supermarket, 2)saving up clubcard points, or nectar if you can afford to shope there lol, 3) Having a penny tin throughout the year. 4) Doing online surveys and obtaining vouchers for these, great for amazon etc. I shall defo be continuing doing these once my IVA completes as it will remind me of the more frugal days. I don't want to see another credit card ever again to be honest and my motto now is 'if i can't afford it then i don't have it, or save up for it'. xx

Like Orchid I save up Nectar points etc, I also use Park and it is a great feeling when everyone in January is worrying about the Christmas bill we can smugly sit and say what bill?

x

This will be our third Christmas out of our IVA and i can certainly say it is wonderful to be debt free still, apart from mortgage and car loan.......looking back horrifies me and everynow and then when I go to buy something I do get something that stops me doing so.....love being debt free...and able to offer advice and support to others who are going through the journey !

Im even thinking twice when doing my weekly shopping because I only take cash so Im more mindful as to what Im buying, dont get me wrong I still buy treats etc but Ive stopped buying things just for the sake of it :0) x

This will be my fifth christmas which is debt free, I do feel January tight because we get paid early but nothing to what it used to be like

Most of my clients in IVAs tell me that Christmas means far more to them now they have to fund it out of savings, rather than bashing the plastic and not really appreciating the cost of the festivities. Most people can have a really enjoyable Christmas on a sensible budget, which I think makes you appreciate the togetherness of sharing with family far more.

I've just bought our first christmas present for one of our boys. only a stocking filler .In the sale. It all helps x