Hi i'm new on this forum, we are 2 1/2 yrs in and i'm feeling like the end of the tunnel is miles away do you have any tips to help us get through the dark times? Thanks i will appreciate anything you say to lift us!
You have now climbed the hard road to the top of the mountain - and are now half way through. The path downhill is always the easiest one - and whilst it is natural to have the mid-way blues - try to remember how much better off you are now than before you entered into the IVA. And only two Christmases left to scrimp and save for.
Now is the time to start putting some firm wishes on the wish list for how you are going to spend or invest that saved money once the IVA has completed.
I know it seems never ending at the moment but it will be worth it. Try to find something you enjoy doing as a family that doesn't cost much. We took up cycling- buying second hand bikes and cycle to work schemes. We go off with packed lunches and have a great time together, although the kids and hubby have to wait for me quite a lot! Saved money as well as on non-rainy days we cycle to work saving petrol and bridge tolls.
No, wiggle was what my mum used to call me!! Can see where you're coming from though. Actually haven't been able to afford things from Wiggle all my cycling stuff has come from Lidl!
I am very jealous of how far you have come, and it is always lovely to see and hear about other people's IVA travels.
I don't have any advice as I am only 11 mths in, but I tick my payments off each month and count them down as I go.
I worked out that as ours is 72 mths, we end ours in 2018, and are planning our years as they come up- maybe not a great idea, but planning ahead has seemed to make the time fly so far.
I also think that reminding yourself of how bad things were before you dealt with the debt are always good for helping you through the tough months.
Started IVA 27th Feb 2012 - Due to complete 27th Jan 2018 !!
Full & Final submitted and accepted 30th March 2015, paid 10th April 2015 - 3 yrs 1 month into IVA
Completion Certificate received- 30th April 2015!!
Hi Debrodge46. Welcome to the forum. The best thing so far is that you've got a good 30 months under your belt, and you now have us. You have probably honed your skills at budgeting, and buying what you need rather than just what you fancy, which could make what you saved/budgeted for more meaningful. I went back to cooking using only fresh food, and it's so much cheaper and nutritious than convenience or takeaway stuff - move over Nigella!! There has been some really dark times, but the sense of achievement and lessons learned has made it worth it. Finding this forum has been the best of all. Good luck as you move toward the light. x
IVA journey started: 30th March 2009. Settled: 17th July 2012. Completion Certificate received: 13th March 2013. Breathe. x
Welcome to the forum from me too ! Your debt free journey has reached the half way mark and you are now coming down towards the finishing line. You have come so far.....when we had dark periods in our IVA I would get my proposal ocument out and read the detail in it...the reason for our debt and our monthly outgoings prior to the IVA. I would also seek support from my close friends who knew about the IVA .....
The biggest challenge for us was to learn the budgeting skills that are required to make things happen
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
There is a solution for everyone .... Just need to stay positive !
What lovely words Foggy. I haven't been called an angel since I was six years old and played one in the school nativity play. And if you speak to my hubby - I think the word she-devil might be more appropriate in his eyes. He looked so relieved to wave me off back to work this morning!!!
