As Christmas approaches

[watzki]

Today I have been reflecting on the past six and a half years since our IVA started (July 9th 2010,finished Nov 28th 2016).
The Christmas before the start of our IVA (2009) was horrendous,work was tight been a bricklayer,wages cut by at least a third,moral on building sites at an all time low.
That Christmas it snowed a week before Christmas and two weeks into the new year.That Christmas was spent on the credit cards and the first month in the new year.
As the year went on the credit dried up and in May we accepted defeat and made the phone call that probably changed our lives forever.
The first few months were fine as we had saved a few quid from not paying our creditors for a couple of months whilst our IVA was set up.
Christmas came and it was tight by this time,we had told our daughter who was very supportive and told us not to buy her anything but we got her a few bits and bobs.
As the years went by it got easier with wage rises and with our budgeting we had shopping off to a tee.gas and electricity were about forty quid a month cheaper by year two or maybe three.
Christmas time was always a struggle as I was self employed and had no income for two weeks until I went direct in year four.Now I get holiday pay.
It has been four weeks since our CC and have been let out into the big bad world of credit.It's a strange feeling of having no one to answer to about my incomings and outgoings,but the IVA and Freeman Jones have taught us to not rely on credit and live within our means.
In four weeks we have saved nearly £1000 and we are still tight when it comes to shopping and Christmas.

So good luck to everyone starting out on their journey and good luck to those who are still in their journey.

AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

[kallis3]

Excellent post and it is great to see you come out the other side. It is an inspiration to others on the same path.

Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[MerlinL14]

A great post watzki and something most of us can relate to. Over a year out of our IVA and we are still tighter than a goldfishes ??? Having savings is something we have got used to, just like where we shop and what we really do not need. This Christmas has pretty much been the same as when we were in our IVA, we still get high street vouchers, saved for over the last 11 months with very little else bought with cash in hand. Good luck in your debt free future.

[Foggy]

Great post Watzki -- I have long held the belief that a great part of being in an IVA is the "rehab" --- you reconnect with real money, as opposed to "magic plastic". I used to, and still do, get great joy and, yes, a sense of smugness, when paying with cash and knowing it wasn't borrowed ... brought me back to my childhood mantra ... "If you can't pay for it, you can't have it !" (Thanks Mum xx)

Have a great Christmas.

[luluj]

Love this post - well done and enjoy your Christmas

[shazj1007]

Fab post watzki, it's a fab feeling. Lots of lessons learned. Had a great Christmas with the family and able to afford a bit of something for our parents as a thanks for all their support over the last 6 years. Going forward,we have a few quid left in the bank and it's such a nice feeling! The IVA will be etched on my brain for a long time I think, I suppose it's a good thing though,should keep us on the straight and narrow. Going into 2017 with a clear mind and credit file.

[kallis3]

It is a great feeling.