IVA thoughts

[maxdebt]

The right conversation came up at work with me and now 2 people know I am in an IVA. One of them confessed to me one night that she was struggling to meet her monthly payments. She was suprised at my knowledge of DMP's bankruptcy etc lol and she is now on a DMP. Through it all she kind of worked out I was in an IVA so i just came clean. Like someone said earlier I wonder just how many people are worried/ignoring mounting debts

[Til]

The only person I have told is a friend at work who is in same situation as us but hasn't done anything about it as yet and it does feel great to talk about it - it was especially good coming up to meeting day with all that stress. OH has told a couple of work colleagues too and so far they have all been understanding - again one of them admitted he was up to his eyes in debt too and on a DMP!!

For what it's worth Kallis I will be so happy to complete this IVA when that long away day comes that I think I will be shouting it from the rooftops - definitely something to be proud [8D] I may even brag to people about being debt free ha ha!!! [:D]

[kallis3]

Wont that be a wonderful feeling, the day we make our last payment!

[Til]

It will be like all my Christmases!!!!! [:D][:D][:D]

[kallis3]

And birthdays!!!!!!!![:D][:D]

[TheMatrix]

I have no wish to be talked about behind my back at work as they would do if they knew I was in debt, let alone in an IVA. They already do that to one of my colleagues (I don't join in, just get my head down).

That's terrible, far better to keep it to yourself at work. I don't see why it would be anyone else's business anyway that I was in a IVA, its not like I owe them any money.

[moretolife]

i can identify with both schools of thought..a lot depends on how i am feeling anyway....
if i am feeling upbeat and lifes good then i love my IVA...but if i get down and maybe feeling il i can get just as depressed re IVA as before.
i do find myself watching others if they are using credit cards and going over in my head varying scenarios...eg...are they maxed out..do they have a huge limit...are they already in a mess.

but on the whole i am glad we took this step and as this forum is helping me so much to feel more positive of the whole situation there are generally more good days than bad.
happy thoughts to all for a wet and miserable monday

[fedup and broke]

I think it just goes to show how judgemental people are. Most people are probably up to their eyes in debt but deny it. I take pride in the fact that I faced upto my problems - my debt was left by me ex-husband and now its me that has to pay for it. But I faced it and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I take pleasure in paying for cash for things because I know that its paid for - no bill at the end of the month with huge interest payments. My family know about my IVA and know that I didn't enter into it lightly - i considered all my options and the forum made my decision for me - everyone was so helpful and honest about how they were feeling. I have also looked deep into my beliefs and am now a buddhist - one of the beliefs of buddhists is you do not crave nice things and envious of other people - you have a peaceful mind. And I do I owe alot of money but I know that I will get through it with the help of friends, family and you guys on the forum x

[Wizzard]

I really can't understand why you all feel 'branded' and you need to justify yourself to yourself. What you all have done is take a very scraggy bull by the horns and wrestle it to the ground. No one else but the people you have entrusted with the information know about this and if they condemn you then that is there prerogative. Hold your head up high ... you have nothing to be ashamed of.

Today, there are three kinds of people: the have's, the have-not's, and the have-not-paid-for-what-they-have's. Where are you now??

[orchid5]

Hi all, haven't posted for a few days, most of my true friends know and some colleagues know at work, please don't think there is anything to be ashamed about, we are people who for one reason or another have been unfortunate but are now taking responsibility for our debts. I know the feeling about eating, sleeping, breathing IVA especially when my first review came round, but i am happy in the knowledge that i won't be dreading the postperson (being politically correct there!) putting anything through my letter box, yes i won't have any spare income for the next 4 years but i will have peace of mind and not be stressed out. Good luck to each and every one of you, remember you have taken a very positive step to becoming debt free.


12 down 48 to go, wahooooooo.

[cat 1]

You lot always make me feel better and less isolated.Thanks!It seems we all take it very seriously and IVA wasn't entered into lightly...sometime wish I had respite from thoughts though and just get on with stuff.Cat

[kallis3]

I still pay my pension contributions. They are taken out at source and I was told there wouldn't be a problem with it.

Know exactly where you are coming from with dating stuff. I changed jobs five years ago, and I keep thinking how quickly it has gone, I last went on holiday 3 years ago, and can't believe how quickly the time has gone.

Hopefully my IVA will go just as quickly.

Don't forget you are probably not the only one where you work who is struggling, but you have done something positive about your situation.

There's no way I will be telling anyone at work though. The only ones who know are my daughter and stepkids and everyone on here. That's enough for me.

[facingittogether]

i dont intend telling anyone at work about our iva either. i am a private person anyway and dont think it is any of their business!

cant deny, money is still always on my mind and if we can last throughout the month but it is far better than the alternative of robbing peter to pay paul from one card to another. when i go shopping i dont feel shame at all i pay for my shopping with my debit card with pride. i feel sorry for the people with purses bulging with credit cards because they most probably are in the samr position i was in last year, burying their head and not knowing which way to turn!

that email to melanies team to ask for help was the best thing i ever did!

barb x

[maxdebt]

Yes Barb that's it with me. I don't think often about my IVA but I do focus very hard on managing our money every month. Of course pre IVA that was never an issue, if I was short I just used a credit card. End of problem! [:I] ( NOT!!)
Budgeting has become an art form in our house. In fact perhaps an obsession [:p] We are all at it! We only spent £26 more on electricity over the last 6 months even with the massive rise in price ( but shhh don't tell Melanie. Our first review is next month [:0])

[aguise]

It must be nights Lady H. I am thinkng I will drop my hours as well, even though I am part time now, and have exactly the same thoughts that I wont cos it will be nice to have al the money to myself. it may happen anyway though as ther is talk of going to 12 hour nights and I just dont want to do them. we have the longest shift now as it is. With travel to and from and sleep, when do you live. Anyway I too am constantly thinking of the iva and I know hubby is the same. It keeps me focused and is teaching me how to cope and think ahead of things we might need and to do it without credit. Everything we pay for now I feel a little pride that we have saved and paid for it.

Ang x