I have today been to see a friend of mine who co-owns a shop and hearing her story of not taking enough to pay her rent, not having enough to pay her phone bill etc has really made me realise how well off i am even though i am in the 2nd year of my IVA. At least i know what is coming in each month and what is going out, this has made me realise that life in on the IVA avenue isn't so bad, my house is heated, i have food on the table, ok it's not gormet food but hey so what and i have a job as well, thank god for small mercies.
15 down, 45 to go.
Om shanti, namesté, good luck to all who are embarking on the IVA journey, it isn't always an easy one but the outcome is the best.
IVA COMPLETED August 2012, received Completion certificate 18.4.13.
Hello I so agree, I think its finding inner wealth. My house is toasty we have had a big winter stew for tea and now watching emmerdale. All my bills are paid and we both know whats coming in and going out each month. I'm glad that I am in my IVA, I feel safe. I actually dont want to finish it early but value the re-adjustment and the ongoing challenge. I feel very lucky to be in this situation now. Thankyou to all on the forum and my great IP Freeman Jones!!
On the slow safe road to success. Personal thanks to Melanie Giles Kallis Skippy Elv5 and all the other wonderful forum friends.
I couldn't agree more! Mind you, I would like to finish my IVA early if I could, but unless I win the lottery, that ain't gonna happen!
We're watching Emmerdale as well!
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 so agree Kallis and Kabby, it seems that this present credit crunch is really biting people but in all honesty i do at this present moment feel safe in the knowledge that my bills are covered and although i don'have much left at the end of the month all my bills apart from the unforseen ones are covered. Thank you to all the experts and those who are providing excellent advice for people who are feeling vulnerable and don't know which way to turn, i so wish i had found this site over a year ago when i began my IVA journey, hey ho i have now and it's well worth logging on every now and then.
15 down, 45 to go
Om shanti, namesté, good luck to all who are embarking on the IVA journey, it isn't always an easy one but the outcome is the best.
IVA COMPLETED August 2012, received Completion certificate 18.4.13.
I think that anyone involved in the retail trade will be facing very hard times after the Christmas period. Just driving around Cardiff today, I don't think I have ever seen so many "For Sale" or "To Let" signs on small shops and businesses.
So true Melanie. I got to walk around my local town today - now I have the time! - and I was shocked and just how many empty units there were I can totally understand businesses hanging on, but think there's going to be a lot of shops not making their targets this Christmas And the January sale? Well, I think that will have started in November, so whereas the sale money used to be like a bonus, it's going to get swallowed in essentials.
As you well know from your own experiece Suzanne, especially in seasonal trade such as clothing, you have to stock up twice per year, and if the sales are not there to enable you to build up cash reserves, some outlets will not be able to sustain trading in the long term.
It is very tough out there at the moment for small traders, and my advice is to seek professional advice at an early stage for anyone currently struggling.
MelanieGiles wrote:
It is very tough out there at the moment for small traders, and my advice is to seek professional advice at an early stage for anyone currently struggling.
Excellent advice Melanie. I wish I had sought help 6 months earlier than I did, but somehow that head in the sand was far more appealing at the time.
I can totally understand businesses hanging on, but think there's going to be a lot of shops not making their targets this Christmas 
