I would like to share a few (hopefully inspirational) words with you if you are one of the people on this site just looking for some help.
As we approach Christmas it reminds me of exactly a year ago when I was in a desparate situation. My debts were completely out of control, I had nobody to talk to and nobody to help. I continued spending on Christmas using my credit facilities but just knew that after the festive season I would be in trouble.
I grasped the nettle finally in the New Year and now a seemingly short 12 months later, my IVA is in the past. I was accepted in March and by August (due to redundancy payment), was able to offer a full and final settlelement which was also agreed to.
So here we are 12 months down the line and this Christmas, whilst a little tighter than before, We are going to have a totally debt free time. Everything we have this year, we will own! The first time in over 25 years!!
I tell this story in the hope that if you're in my situation now, you are inspired to carry on, not give up and have a Happy Christmas in the knowledge that with the help of the wonderful people on here - especially the excellent IP's who post, that you can get through this and maybe this time next year - it will all be a distant memory.
Happy Christmas everyone and please do not give up hope.
Thats a brilliant post and one that im sure will give others some hope.
I can now actually sit and look back and laugh at how desperate i felt with hubby's debts constantly growng.
His also ended early with a F&F
No i know not everyone will have the chance of a F&F BUT there is a chance to do something about your debts and rehabilitate yourself at the same time.
Pick up the phone. There will be a sollution
Last edited by Lisa2009 on Sun Dec 06, 2009 12:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
What a lovely story to share with the other forum posters. Very inspirational, and a brave decision to use redundancy money to make an offer to creditors.
Have you managed to find a new job during the year?
Thank you Melanie, It's a tough time to get a job in the industry I am in so I decided to try to set up on my own. It's not easy, I'm not getting as much work as I would like, but I am managing to keep the wolf from the door and I am truly hopeful that next year the economy will turn around and I will be in a position to capitalise on the opportunities.
I decided to write this post because I am just about to put up our Christmas lights (and you'll laugh), but it reminded me how I felt a year ago and just want to share with people how you can't control some things in your life but how your situation can change in a short space of time.
If ONE person is encouraged by my post I will feel I helped in a tiny way.
I had a crazy year, lost my job and unemployed for the first time in my life, went through an IVA and my Dad died - I am certain 2010 will be a better year and I remain positive.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
What a great post. I too am looking forward to our first Christmas since I can remember without using credit. It will be more frugal than we have been used to but then we have the joy of knowing that we haven't put ourselves deeper into the debt spiral.
I sit and listen to peole at work talking about what they have bought their children for Christmas and I think, no way could I possibly spend that much and I know they are putting it all on credit. I just hope they can pay it back in the New Year and not end up in the same position as me.
One girl has paid £200 for Ugg boots for an 8 year old and that's only part of her present!
I am happy that we have faced up to our situation. I have even told my mum about it and she has been very supportive. She and my step dad are coming up on the Monday after Christmas and she is sending me some Morrisons vouchers so we can have a good nosh up. She has also said that she will help out with school trips for the kids, the little things that will make all the difference to us over the next few years.
7 year IVA completed in December 2016 - there is light at the end of that tunnel
My Ugg boots cost a fraction of that from Ebay! I doubt they are the real thing but they look like them!
This is our second Christmas on a budget and it is looking to be much better than last year.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Cath - that's lovely that your Mum is being so supportive, as I know how worried you were about telling her. It goes to show that nothing is quite as bad as it might seem at first glance.
Thanks Mel, she didn't really know what to say at first and neither did I but we spoke about it at length and she is with us all the way and is so happy that we no longer have any access to credit and can't get in any deeper than we already are.
She's my mum and I'm glad I told her.
7 year IVA completed in December 2016 - there is light at the end of that tunnel
I am so glad your mum is being supportive. I know my parents wouldn't be at all which is why they have no idea about things.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Funnily enough, I just spoke to her and she had phoned National Debt Helpline I think to check out the info on IVAs. She asked me if the woman in Cardiff was charging me any upfront fees which wouldn't be good. That made me laugh.
I told her all about the forum and how it has helped me so much and how wonderful Melanie, that woman in Cardiff is!
She is now fully au fait with the correct terminology of Insolvency Practitioner rather than women or men in various cities trying to get money for old rope and I have directed her to Melanie's website for additional info!
She said you'll always be my baby girl xxx
Last edited by Cath on Sun Dec 06, 2009 3:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
7 year IVA completed in December 2016 - there is light at the end of that tunnel
Perhaps you should get her to post on here Cath![:D]
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
My parents live in a council house, they have never gone into debt for anything in their lives.
So you see how difficult it would be for me to tell them.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
