Coming down with a small bump!!

[OPTIMIST12]

Just a quick post directed at noone in particular - but mainly those just starting out on their IVAs!!!!

Speaking from personal experience - DO be prepared after the initial euphoria of acceptance for the odd tough day to come along when 5 years just seems an awfully long time!!!!

As they say in the ads - an IVA is an amazing solution but DO go into it with the right frame of mind and realising that it is no joyride. You WILL get days when you feel a bit down but just remember what things were like before you started the IVA. Set your mind on that completion date and stick at it through the thick and the thin.

I was thinking today that my first Christmas in an IVA is going to be a tough and strange experience - but you have to realise you are in this for the long stretch AND it is a means to a hopefully great end!!!

Stick with it everyone!!!!!!

[jpj]

An IVA is for life...not just for christmas!! (only joking...but sometimes it does feel like life!!)
But there are good sides to IVAs too ! Im just offering a full and final after 18 months in an IVa... I mentally prepared myself for the 5 year haul and will now hopefully be free after 2 !
I would say prepare yourself for 5 years,but never give up hope that it might be less!..you never know what the future holds...a rich aunt dying,falling for a wealthy partner,you name it...
By participating in this site you can make sure YOU rule your IVA,and your IVA doesnt rule YOU!!
Knowledge is a powerful thing!!

JPJ

[63k]

If you offer full and Final, do you have to pay the total amount you originally owed or the figure worked out from the end of the IVA?

[MelanieGiles]

That depends on the circumstances of your settlement and the sourcint of the funding.

Regards, Melanie Giles, Insolvency Practitioner for over 20 years.

To have me propose an IVA for you, please visit:
http://www.melaniegiles.com/ivaEnquiry.asp

See customer feedback at:
http://www.iva.com/iva_companies/IVA_Advice_Bureau.asp

[ray_a]

Going back to the points about Christmas in an IVA!

I do strongly suggest saving from your personal expenditure a savings plan so that you can enjoy Christmas!

Don't forget the Asda savings card for Christmas and Sainsbury's savings stamps!

At least one can save for the food element and perhaps something for the children so that they can have a good time!

[OPTIMIST12]

Good Post jpj - (No offence to any rich aunts anywhere!!!) - all the more reason for people to stick with their IVAs. It is important to realise what a truly great opportunity an IVA can represent - and -to be honest - an approval at the Creditors meeting has to be experienced to be believed!! But it is vital to remind those "pondering" the first steps that there is a lot of hard work ahead after that!!

And at the risk of repetition - this forum is great for that!!!

ray a. - Agree 100% with that advice!!1

[louisa.s]

I agree with Optimist, an IVA is a great solution to a big problem and you feel like you conquer the world when it goes through but then reality sinks in and you do have the odd rough day when something goes wrong (in my case it is always the car!) or something unexpected crops up or comes out of your carefully controlled budget but hang in there as this will only make you stronger with an achievement at the end.

Last year was our first Christmas and whilst it was a bit strange it was probably one of the best Christmas's we had since our adult life! We used our tesco clubcard vouchers for food & drink! And we set a budget or £5 for our immediate family and exceptionally good friends which is a great challenge in itself and it is always the thought that counts.

We then did a mulled wine and mince pie party with all our leftovers etc , played the cardboard box game and everyone took home a bottle of homemade chilli oil! And it was a resounding success and nobody could tell that my homemade sausage rolls were made from tesco value sausages and that it was exceptionally cheap plonk in the mulled wine.

It comes down to planning at the end of the day and siphoning off extra pennies from your I&E so you can actually enjoy the festive period and invariably it is always the little things that matter.

Great tip for stocking fillers - buy novelty flannels, tootbrushes etc alongside the other little goodies, they come in useful and because the kids don't usually get them they think its great!

Well enough of my essay/guide to Christmas and back to work...
Lou x
PS I don't recommend drinking a few G&Ts before midnight mass particularly if they have the blessing of the crib, the usual crowd then shepherd no. 1, shepherd no. 2 can yyou see where this is going...

[Skippy]

Go on, tell us the rest - it sounds as if it could be interesting...

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the present - a gift to make the most of.

View my blog at http://skippy13.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[louisa.s]

Well they carried on and blessed shepherd no.3, the sheep no.1, sheep no. 2, the donkey and by this time James and I were in complete silent hysterics with our shoulders bobbing up and down and then my mum threatens to take us out of the church like little kids (we're 30!)

I don't think the G&T's helped or it could just be the church as I was in fits of laughter saying my vows "for richer or poorer!" oops[:D]

[Skippy]

Last time I went to church on Christmas Eve I was given a candle to hold during the service. Unfortunately mine wasn't in the holder properly and the hot was dripped onto my hand. I completely forgot where I was and swore under my breath as it hurt rather a lot! I didn't think anyone could hear me until my friend nudged me and told me to keep my voice down! Oops!

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the present - a gift to make the most of.

View my blog at http://skippy13.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[louisa.s]

lol [:D]

[ray_a]

Well when we get our first Priest who comes on here to ask for advice for dealing with his debt crisis we could ask him if he would organise our IVA Christmas Carol service!!!

IVA's and No room in the INN has a good similarity to it!!!!

[Skippy]

Probably not a good idea to let Lou or I anywhere near it!

Did I see you're going to Reading on Monday Ray? Dave and I will be there so it'll be good to meet you.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the present - a gift to make the most of.

View my blog at http://skippy13.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[ray_a]

Yes I am planning to be there so it will be good to meet you as well my Wife is coming as well!!!

[Lula]

out of intrest how do you make home made chilli oil...just thinking this would be an excellat gift.

lulablog.blogs.iva.co.uk