www.iva.co.uk

Hello all, well what a few weeks it's been.I'm beginning to settle down and my health is really improving. I'm sleeping like a baby and i'm ravenous for food.I've filled up my cupboards and freezer with some of my contingency fund, have had a full dental check up and seen my GP.I've finished an assignment and have 2 to complete over the summer. I've had no calls or letters from anyone.I've taken to withdrawing my weekly budget and putting into a glass jar where i can see it. Sounds weird i know, but it feels as if there are hundreds of £££'s in there, god i wish, now i can see it,i think twice about spending it, by the end of the month i should have enough for a few books for studying. Work has been rather distressing, however i am firing on all cylinders, and met a patient yesterday who was very ill, and when i transferred her to the ward she pulled me aside and thanked me for making a difference and that i was one in a million !!!#13;#10;How nice is that ? [:I][:I]#13;#10;#13;#10;So things are working out for me and i'm looking forward to the first IVA payment at the beginning of next month. #13;#10;#13;#10;That's all, thanks for reading.

Just wanted to say well done quark - glad things are looking better for you. x

Hi quark
Its so strange isnt it how your attitude to spending can change so quickly. i too looked forward, and still do, to my iva payments, each one means one step nearer to being free.
It is a good idea to be able to see your budget, and it seemed such a lot to us initially as we had lived so frugally for a couple of years that being able to do a normal shop was like luxury. You will soon find yourself checking out the supermarket websites (if not already) for the best deals and shopping around for everything. I find a little voice now in my head saying "do you really need that" before I buy, whereas before I would just buy it.

I also know what a difference it makes when a patient says you have made a difference, to their stay. I think in nursing it can be easy at times to forget how frightening and different a hospital environment can be for patients and the relatives too, who may not have been away from their home or separated before.A few kind reassuring words is all that is needed sometimes.
Well done. Keep going and I will stop rambling on as I like to do sometimes.

Ang xx

That's great news Quark, I'm so glad you're feeling better and things are working out for you.

It's great that you were praised like that as well! You do a great job and I really don't envy you - you must see some terrible things x

Brilliant news Quark! Nice to see that you are a lot more positive and have sorted yourself out.

When I am going shopping now, I do an 'internet shop' with both Asda and Tesco to check out all the bargains and to see how much it is going to cost. I've gone from anything from £70 - £100 per week down to £40 - £50 a week, and it's great!

Good luck with your IVA, and keep posting.

This is so refreshing to hear, congratulations to you. I'm waiting for a call from Melanie's office now the longer I wait the more nervous I get!

Hey Quark, I'm really pleased that you're eating and starting to feel better. You do a fantastic job and you deserve all the praise you get. Keep smiling and look after your jar.[:)] Viki X

Thanks everyone, it's such a turnaround,i know there will be some tough times ahead, with the odd surprise no doubt.The money i have every week is mine, where before instead of carrying cash and using the debit card, now i walk around with a tenner in my wallet, if i need to i can make it last 2 days.I hated carrying cash, i once lost my wallet with all my holiday money in it,and i swore i would never carry cash around with me again.I'm beginning to enjoy my life i think for the first time in ages, yes i'm in debt, but i'm free of all that worry about paying here there and everywhere. 1 payment into my IVA and it pretty much covers the lot. And i'm not ashamed to be relearning the value of money again, even at my age !

You and me both Quark! I never intend to be in this situation again!
[:)][:)][:)]