Sounding off!!

[600andy]

Dear all,

I (we) are just approaching the end of year 3 of our IVA and up until now its been tough, but OK. The last 2-3 Months however have been hell. We havent significantly changed any habits in the last 3 months but suddenly we seem to have so very much less - so I can only assume things are generally costing more (or were simply getting less for the same) and hadnt noticed it....feeling low again and wondering if we will make the last 2 years. I am seeking weekend work although I already work 14 hours a day Mon-Fri so an extra job will be a killer - but needs must I guess - having said that, our IVA will want a slice of my extra earnings wont they?!

Budgeting seems to have gone out the window a bit due to some big and unforseen bills with the car, so generally, we are cutting back harder, spending even less and starting to feel quite uncomfortable now.

I guess we will be OK, but is SO hard right now.....just need some friendly pep talk from people who understand.

Andy

[Til]

I so know how you feel - things go ok for a while and then suddenly seem all pear shaped! But hang in there... this rough time will end and you've only around 24 more payments to make that is amazing!!![:)]

I know it's hard to do and I don't take my own advice half the time but why not plan an evening to sit down and re-check your budget and maybe just getting your heads together will show up some places you can save in order to free up money for other areas that might make you feel better. It helps us when we seem to lose control of the budget.

Hang in there - you are within sight of the finish line now and the last 2 years will fly by [:I]

[MrsKnight]

Hi Andy,

I know that feeling oh so well! Getting to end of year 3, well done! U really need to give yourself a pat on the back for that, n stop being to hard on yourself.

Have you had any I&E reviews done since the start of your IVA? Things certainly have gone up in the last 3 years & they are about to get worse with the new budget being announced this month.

I know myself when things go wrong they go wrong big style in an IVA. Especially when its got anything to do with the car. I'd quite happily get rid of mine if I could, its the main burden of my life!

You are already working your socks off n a second job would only make you poorly. And yes it would be seen as extra income & in most cases they would want 50% of it, pending what your proposal says.

BUT if your IP/IVA company have not done a review to reflect your income & most importantly expenditure, then maybe having a word with them just might help.
But I can also imagine if your only 2 years away from finishing, I would be thinking, just keep my head down n get to the end!

I would do what til has said, sit down with your I&E as see where your moneys going, n maybe you might find a way to ease things up. Your doing brilliantly, that light is getting much brighter for you now, just hang on in there!

[Jan01]

Well done for getting to over half way of your IVA. I think all of us in a IVA have faced unexpected bills and no matter how much we tighten the belt we can never make ends meet. I think the general increase in the cost of living isn't helping anyone.

I would suggest that you keep all your bills and put down acurate amounts at yor next review and maybe your IP will not need to increase your monthly payments, at our last review our amount was decreased to account for the general rise in the cost of living.

Jan

[Shining]

Well done on getting this far in your IVA as others have suggested re-do your I&E and make sure it's realistic, if not contact your IP and explain the situation as although in an IVA things are tight but they should not be unbearable.

[kallis3]

Well done for getting this far.

I think all of us know where you are coming from with less money to spend. We're just about managing this month and I have to find some cash to give dad for Father's Day. He's not the sort of person who doesn't expect anything. I'd never be forgiven if he just had a card.

[Shining]

A nice photo of the new you Jan in a nice frame would be nice?

I wish my Dad was still here for me to give him a card...sadly he's not but I'll be thinking of him. xx

Can I just say Ladies and Gents, if I'm not around for a few days or just sporadically I'm not ignoring the forum but my work colleauge's son aged 22 has had a heart attack and from our local hospital they've rushed him to Glenfield (Leicester) overnight so I've her lessons to cover and it gets worse as there is only 3 of us and the other is off on a cruise for 3 weeks on Friday!

I've told them I can cope but marking and teaching is a bit much even for me but I do know if it was my child I'd want to be there so I will cope xx Send your healing wishes for him please. xx

[kallis3]

I'm sorry to hear about your colleague's son Lesley and I do hope he recovers. Twenty two is no age is it?

I'm sure you will cope with the work. It will certainly keep you busy.

As to Father's Day, he wouldn't appreciate a photograph, that would be more my mum. Daughter will get him chocolates and I will find a tenner from somewhere!

[600andy]

Many thanks to you all. Not very macho I know, but your words of encouragement actually bought tears to my eyes - it reminds me of when we first got the IVA approved - I am not ashamed to tell you that I sobbed like a baby then too!

Were going to re-do our I&E tonight and discuss with our IP. He hasnt been up for any decreases in the past but as long as we can hold at what were paying then we couldnt ask any more. Our main review is due August anyway.

I guess this whole journey was going to have high's and low's and whilst its hard, it is for us to manage in the same way that would have to if we were not in an IVA - essentially, we have to cut our cloth accordingly.

I really appreciate your good wishes and advice - I know 3 years success is good although it feels like it has been 5 and another 2 years (24 more payments sounds better) also feels like its going to feel another 5 years but I guess every paymwent IS a step closer to solvency and that must be the goal - and on that basis alone, I am rightly reminded not to be so downheartened. Thank You.

When we were thoughtlessly wracking up our debt, we never thought a few years later we would be wearing used clothes and eating on a shoe string budget with no frills, no meals or days out, no holidays and very frugal birthdays and Christmas's etc.....we never thought we would constantly feel SO skint that we couldnt even justify buying ourselves a takeaway now and again, but you know, we have learnt SO much about oursleves...

Re the Saturday Job - there doesnt seem to be much offering more than £6 per hour - so for an 8 hour Sat job, earning me £48 gross and probably £35 net - with 50% going into my IVA - the resulting £17 frankly isnt worth killing myself for. I am already SO tired as not only do I work those long hours, but also have to commute 2 hours each way to do it.... 1 hour on the train, one hour in the car - hence the need to keep the car running too! (For those wondering, it works out cheaper this way rather than the taking the train direct all the way).

Willing to work extra, but just cant get a decent outcome.....

Thank you all again for your support - this forum has been a constant source of help, support and comfort from people who really understand.

Thank you.

Andy
xx

[MrsKnight]

Hi Andy - Your very welcome,
I have poured my heart out on this forum, IVA related & non IVA related. If I had not found this forum, I truly believe our IVA would of failed a long time ago.

Im glad to here your going to sit down with your I&E, just remember to keep in mind that the new budget is only round the corner, & I ave a gut feeling that things are going to get more expensive.

I know what you mean by "used clothes" when ever someone offers me clothes for my little boys, I certainly dont say no! Things are certainly frugal in an IVA but its not supposed to be a punishment. You do need to give yourself a little treat now n then, even if its just your favourite take away.
I have not had a birthday since before the IVA started, mine n my sons birthday R at xmas, so I go without. Myself n my hubby have not bought each other anything for Christmas during our IVA. It does not bother us - as we would rather ensure that through this IVA the boys dont miss out on "Christmas/B days".

I am very vigilant about money n what I spend now. I shop around n think alot more about what Im am actually buying. I still find it hard n still get down about not being able to keep up with everyone around me, BUT, there will be an end & one day I wont have to worry, Ive just got to get there!

Good luck Andy - let us know how you get on.

[kallis3]

I wear used clothes all the time - usually bought from Ebay or a charity shop. Did this prior to the IVA, and will continue to do so afterwards. I'm always putting my old clothes on there.

Mine, hubby's and stepson's birthdays are all at Christmas. We don't bother and don't worry about Christmas either as there is nothing we need or want. Always make sure stepson has something though.

[600andy]

Yea, well actually, some of the "used" clothes I have bought on ebay are sometimes the best I have ever had and often a "steal" - one practically new (worn 4 or 5 times) M&S suit worth easily £130 cost me £10....and I would never have bought so expensive a suit even when I had those horrible Credit Card things (?!) It amazes me what people will sell for so little....

We too dont bother with Christmas or Birthdays apart from a card (10 for a £1 in the card Factory). It all feels odd & perhaps a bit
flat when people ask what you bought or got from your Wife but I usually just give a little white lie....

My Wife has become a master bargain spotter and we tend to make our own cheaper meals now rather than fill a freezer with convenience stuff.

The Budget is a bit of a worry, but we will manage as long as we still have a job!

Thanks again folks.

Andy

[Jan01]

In my book real men cry.
Jan

[Shining]

I used to buy designer clothes, have facials, gel nails the lot, now nothing, Peacocks for a lot of clothes and Primark, no facials, pedicure courtesy of daughter once a week, I used to miss them and begrudge giving them up initially but now I'm not bothered.

[Jan01]

It is surprising what I don't miss anymore that seemed so important. I used to have my nails done every 3 weeks also hair. As for clothes well now it seems obscene. I love looking out bargains in charity shops and sale rails. Hair is cut when needed and I have the money hair colour is done at home by daughter. As for nails well I do what I can and providing they are clean I don't mind there is no way I could justify the cost. I now think twice beore I buy anything do I really need it, is it worth the money, can I buy it cheaper on line? My must have it now attitude has gone.

Having been in debt I would rather be debt free and make do save for what I want, in the future credit will be for real emergencies.

Jan