Our IVA was accepted yesterday (after a few minor changes). I am happy but scared that we will be depressed for the next five years counting the pennies every week.
I know it is my own fault though.
Anyway 60 payments to go and Happy New Year.
This site/forum has been an absolute blessing over the last three months. Thank you all.
I know what you mean sazzysue- mine is going thru at the moment and I am worrying I will end up a complete hermit over the next 5 years.
I've already had to say to one of my best friends its unlikely I will be attending her wedding as its overseas......
I just ask myself what the alternative is??? Still robbing Peter to pay paul each month?? I would have been forced to confront it eventually..
Don't worry, it does seem a long road, but you should feel so much better soon now that the stress of all that debt has been lifted.
The time will go fairly quickly. I'm 9 months into mine, and it only seems like yesterday that it was accepted.
Keep posting and we will give you all the support you need.
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
Hi sazzysue,
We are 4 months into our IVA's and when I think back to all the juggling we used to have to do to pay for all the credit cards and never have any real money (all plastic) to spend its great to know where you are, You won't feel depressed just ellated, it needs to sink in yet and when it does you will feel alot more settled with it, and like Kallis says it goes fairly quickly, we have just experienced our first christmas without credit, what a brilliant feeling..
Love Abi x
I am really pleased that you have got your IVA accepted. I know its still scary and perhaps youre still blaming yourself for getting into the mess. Stop that hun, whats done is done, we all make mistakes and its the strong people who stand up and face it, youre one of em.
Its not all doom and gloom living on a budget, it makes the easier times much better. Its a bit scary knowing there is nothing to fall back on and getting used to that little black figure in the bank, errr no extra bit of red to make life easier.
How you approach it makes all the difference. I have just been sitting here counting cash for the week ahead, so its not going to be fancy pants Salmon and prawn sandwitches or rare steak diane for the next 7 days. More like eggs sausages, lots of rice and pasta. There is still enough for a nice dinner on Sunday. So much better than sitting there on Saturday with a lotto ticket thinking I am dead if I dont win this...
Hi Sazzysue and congratulations. Think of this as a second chance and try to look at it positively, you are now no longer in debt - but you have no safety nets to fall back on. This is the part no doubt, that is causing you concern.
We have all felt like you do now, but honestly, your attitude will change dramatically over the coming months. Remember you are actually paying to your creditors. I will not lie, it is no picnic, it is however, far better than the life you were living before and you will come to realise this.
Good luck over the next 60 months (sounds better than 5 years) and look forward with your head held up.
Dont be scared, look at it as a completely fresh start and the knowledge that whatever you spend is YOURS to spend, not anyone elses. I remember being 17 years old and saving up to go on holiday with my mates from a part time job stacking supermarket shelves from which I earned about £25.00 a week for 8 hours, yet I saved religiously for months and months and when I went on holiday it was with money that was all mine, that I have saved up. I had forgotten what that feeling was like, because it soon become oh so easy to get credit, and the downward spiral began. My IVA hasnt been accepted yet, but hopefully when it does, I can look forward to getting that feeling back again. You sound like you have come to rely on credit cards always being there to fall back on as sort of a get out of jail free card as I did myself, but the point is they are NOT free, and never will be - you are better off without them. Congratulations on your IVA acceptance and good luck.[;)]
Thats right uptomyneck. its not all doom and gloom I cut up my cards in August, and have been on budget since IVA proposal going together. But I started putting my hand up for more overtime, walking to station (even when raining) and if I had the odd £20 from it it went on the pre paid credit card. Come xmas it paid for the food,drink and xmas pressies.
I spent far less on presents than previous years but thanks to early sales (and primark) everyone was over the moon with what they recieved it didnt look cheap at all.
The supermarkets also have great bargains now- my xmas party dress was £8 paid with nectar points- looked absoliutely fine!!!!!!
I always save my Tesco vouchers up till Christmas and use them then, same with Sainsburys.
I also do a lot of online surveys which mostly pay in vouchers - usually High Street ones and these I send for just before Christmas and use them as presents.
This years Christmas was very frugal compared to the last few years.
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
I dont know about you jan but even though it was more frugal- mine was just as much if not more fun!!!
i wasnt full of guilt over buying things i couldnt afford...
It was great to realise that I wouldn't be trying to pay for everything over the next twelve months - or not paying at all. I have looked forward to the postman calling - even if he does just bring me car insurance junk mail! I'd rather have that sort!
12 months ago I was a wreck!
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
It is a fresh start, but without the credit that you were used too.
I have been in my IVA for 11 months now and all though i was sceptical at first, it was the best thing i ever done.
Going to bed at night without any more harassing letters and phone calls from creditors and a Bank Account which is now saying Credit instead of O/D is a great feeling.
OK you most probably of had a Loan and were paying back a huge sum per month and most probably still kept on using your credit cards.
Well you have been bailed out and you have not got the credit cards too fall back on this time and life should be loads more comfortable than before and you have DEBT FREEDOM to look forward too in 5 years time instead of 60 years time.
In 5 years you will be debt free. If you didn't have the IVA think what an awful position you would be in in 5 years.
Being in an IVA isn't SO bad, it's tough but you will have enough money to live on. It also goes so fast! I was in mine for over a year and a half before I had a full and final agreed. It honestly flew by and you get used to living on a budget.
