For all of you starting the process...

[RICKI]

In May 2006, I found this forum when I realised the magnitude of my husband and my debts.. I found support, encouragement and a constant listening ear right here when I felt unable to open up and talk to anyone else..
During the last 6yrs, we had another baby, my marriage broke down, I lost My Mam last year, but we've always managed to maintain the necessary payments to keep our IVA running smoothly..
Throughout that time, I've been a bit of a voyeur, I keep popping back just to see how people are doing on here..

Ive made all of my payments now, except for a final £50 payment due next week ( my monthly payments were over £520/month..)..

And I'm popping back again, this time with a glass in my hand..
Thank you to everyone who offered me support, help and a listening ear when I was so desperate I couldn't imagine the sun shining again..
To those just starting the process, head high, shoulders back, boobs out, go for it and realise that people will help if you need practical advice or just a damned good whinge!

You are all a blummin' amazing group of people, so many small parts join together to make a mindblowing support network..

So I raise my glass to YOU, to your futures, to your happiness and to grabbing life by the balls and thoroughly enjoying it

The past 6 years have made me realise that life is a half-full glass of amazing-ness, and if your glass isn't half-full? Use a smaller glass [;)]

xx

[Adam Davies]

Hi

You have done so well, shortly you will be able to enjoy all of your disposable income and start treating yourself knowing that you are debt free.

Regards

[Skippy]

Hi Ricki, it's good to hear from you again - I remember you from when I first started on here!

Congratulations on finishing your IVA, I don't blame you for raising a glass - or more!!

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum.

Good luck for the future xxx

[MelanieGiles]

It is amazing to read so many positive stories about IVAs getting successfully completed - amongst all the moans about delays in closures. Well done Ricki - and enjoy your debt free future.

[Tina Shortland]

Fantastic post Ricki - both for those reading it and also to see the journey you have been on and how you manged to keep going even with some awful times - an inspiration to everyone.

Best wishes to you both

[Cariadqueen]

What an amazing and courageous story, we are only just starting out on our journey after realising the extent of our debt and not being able to see the wood for the trees.

I have so many mixed emotions at the moment, One minute im happy that we are dealing with the situation, then the relief but i still seem to have this dreaded fear that something will go wrong and the IVA will not be accepted!

Your story is an inspiration and one that i will keep re reading to give me hope.

Thank you xx

[MikeyM]

Encouraging and inspiring post ricki for those of us just setting out. Know how you feel cariadqueen. In the same boat. I suppose it's only natural to expect the worse in these situations though. Fortunately I am with Mel Giles and her team who when you speak to them have a talent for putting you at ease, reassuring you and putting everything in perspective.

[Cariadqueen]

Im glad you know where im coming from Mikey! we are also with Mel Giles and they could not have been more helpful but i still cant seem to shake that knot in my tummy!

[MikeyM]

Cariadqueen. I know what you mean about the knot. But I try to look at it objectively. I've realised that I can't meet my obligations to my creditors under the current agreements. So I have sought help in deciding how I can address the issue. I have looked at the options available and with help from the professionals have decided that the the way forward is an IVA. They are now working on a proposal to put to my creditors. The creditors can accept that or reject that proposal which I believe will be based on what I can afford and be designed to offer them a much better return than bankruptcy. Also I understand the success rate for IVA acceptance these days is really quite very high. So just try to concentrate on the positives a little and you might feel that knot loosen just a bit.

[MelanieGiles]

Undertandable to have those feelings - you are proposing an IVA because you feel responsible to your creditors and perhaps you feel you are letting them down in some way and feel guilty about that. Turn this into a positive - and tell yourself that you are going to do the best you can for them over the next five years, and at the end of the term you will be debt free. It may seem a long way off, but the sooner you start the sooner it ends.