course it wont go against you taking your son to a safari park, even now we are in a iva we still have little treats, like this week i have booked 2 nights in a travel lodge in kendal in the summer- the little treats keep us sane and help us along the way!
try not to beat yourself up - you are not a bad person, you have made some mistakes like the rest of us, but we learn from them and there will be a way forward for you!
I have been there hun and trully understand, I didnt want to talk to anyone. I just felt it was the end of the world. Its not, its the end of the debt.
you arent alone hun! you can always come onto here and there will always be people to listen to you! this forum was a godsend for me in my darkest hours!
get the ball rolling as soon as possible and things will only get better!
I would contact David Mond's firm Cleardebt. They specialise in IVAs for people with low contributions, and have a very good reputation in the industry.
You have come to the right place for support,of which you will have a lot on this site.It is honest and does not cost a penny.
There are two Insolvency practitioners who regularly post on this site.Melanie Giles and David Mond.I am with Grant Thornton, a reputable firm.I have a very good personal experience with them.I have recently concluded my IVA with a full and final payment.I was in IVA for little under two years.
1)If give a full account of your Income and Expenditure,one of the experts will be able to have a proper look in to your case.
2) you CAN NOT avoid payin all the bills.
a) You must pay council tax.
b) pay e utility bills.
c) can not avoid secured debts,as they can not be included in IVA.
3)That leaves only unsecured debts,credit cards and unsecured debts.
4)If you consider IVA, while it is being set up,save any money that you do not pay to creditors. You will NEED it.
5) While all this is going on you will get nasty,persistent phone calls,do not be bothered by them they will do any thing to get a payment,even a token one. I did not make any token payments,as advised by my IP.If you make token payment you have make it all of them, a equal amount.
6) If any one is nasty and say things like they do not recognise IVA ask them to put it in writing.
7) If keep on pestering,say that you would consider it to be a harressment.
8)I had debts a little ove TEN times yours.I have come through.
9) I was very frightened and totally desperate as I am coming to my retirement.
10)Now I have to think only about the big mortgage I have.
11) At last I am more relaxed.
12) Have any american express debts?
I hope the above is helpful.
Goodluck.
With best wishes.
Take care.
Hara.
Take care.
I dont know yet who national debtline is referring me to yet, will wait and see suppose I should get a letter monday or tuesday. I am limited as I have no money to pay up front. Still will keep you all updated and no doubt come on here to sound off and get some support. I have had my basic bank account approved with another bank as the majority of my debt actually about 75% is with my bank. Have cancelled all my direct debits and cleared out my account before they do it for me. Will obviously pay all priority debts out of new account. Am hoping my energy company etc will contact me when they find out the direct debit has been cancelled so I can give them the new account details. Drunk myself into a stupor last night just so i could sleep... sadly dont feel any better for it today. Still I will feel better when I know things are moving -- it is the not knowing that is harder to deal with. Again thanks to all of you for your warm welcome and support in this difficult time.
Hi, Sparklywatcher and welcome to the forum.
You have had oodles of good advice in this thread. I wouldn't sit around waiting for National Debtline to get back to you. I would suggest you get the ball rolling by contacting an IP directly as advised above. Meanwhile you have done the right thing by opening a new bank account and transferring your direct debits (suggest you contact your energy supplier and give the new account details over the phone rather than allow the direct debit to "bounce"). You will find the money you save between stopping your payments and starting your IVA payments an invaluable buffer allowing everything to start off with minimum pain.
As mentioned, you dont have to hang around waiting for the letter from the company you have chosen. As stated in previous posts, David Mond's company would suit you. Goto his website and fill in the online form and a bet a member of his team come back to you quicker!
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You may be better off phoning the energy companies yourself and changing them over now,it will make you feel better and stop that waiting for them to write to you.
If there is any little thing troubling you just post it. You could just try some nightol (not sure if thats the correct spelling) to help with sleep, I know its a hard time. Drinking yourself stupid will bring you down more. I sure have done it so I am not judging or anything. Just say to yourself, OK I am in Vile time right now, so I am not going to feel on top of any world. Still, I have done all I can today so now I will sleep. Every problem has a solution and I am sure you will be in very safe hands very soon. Next time youre worrying at stupid oclock in the dark, think how your new IVA pals will be mentally wishing you rest, sleep, and dreaming of being of the other side of vile time. Hun, you will be holding someone else's hand through this yourself in the near future.
Take care now, youre very precious to those who love you.
I totally agree with everything the other posters have said. We are here for you any time you need advice and support.
I also agree that you should approach another few companies until you find one you are comfortable with.
The advice you have been given about the companies not believing you can't manage is totally wrong. Some of our posters have managed to make payments until quite a way into the IVA process. Others (like me) had to stop as we couldn't afford to make the payments.
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 real assault on the brain all this isnt it. I think Monday morning I will make some enquiries with IPs recommended on here. The sooner it is sorted the sooner I stop worrying about everything. trouble is my car has just started making noises - the suspension has gone am thinking have to get new shocks before my credit card is cancelled. Then I think they are going to think I am purposely running up debt I cant pay, I am not I just have to have a working car or I cannot get to work or get my son to and from school..... worry worry worry
You could use the money that youre not paying creditors with hun, get everything sorted before D day. I wouldnt use credit now that you have decided to go ahead with some sort of plan. It will just be something else you will worry about. I had a little bit of credit on my card when I had that talk with myself and totted everything up. I felt better about it.
Things will still seem unsumountable at times, you will find a way. I think all of us here have been in that place when other things start to niggle. I have it myself right now, dodgy tyre, poorly cat. Poorly cat won, dodgy tyre just gets blown up every time it gets flat. Its not ideal but its an option.
Hi Sparklywatcher - I am waiting for you to contact us. I am sure you'll get the appropriate advice from a member of my team.
Don't worry too much all problems are soluble and your not alone. Posters on here will help you when you are feeling low. I'll get Size 5 (who should be back at his desk tomorrow morning to watch out for your application.
Keep focussed and you'll be fine.
Regards, David Mond, Insolvency Practitioner for over 46 years. Personal Insolvency Practitioner of the year 2012, Personal Insolvency Practitioner of the year finalist 2013 & 2014 awarded by Insolvency & Rescue Magazine and 2015 finalist for Personal Insolvency Firm of the Year.
