Time to reflect.

[kallis3]

Glad he had a good day!

kazza - I'll email you some links tomorrow if that's ok. I have one seriously scared dog here because of the thunder so I'm logging off for tonight.

[kazzafunk]

No probs Jan - hope he is ok.x

[kallis3]

She's fine now thanks - I'll sort them out when I get back from work.

[lem]

Hi Kat, your post has really humbled me, as you know we have our meeting scheduled for Monday and as the day is drawing nearer I am actually more worried about what it's going to mean for us if it is accepted rather than if it isn't, I know that might sound odd, but our lives are going to change so much for the next 5 years and I'm frightened of being on the breadline so to speak!

We have managed fine without credit now for the last 6 months, but we of course haven't had to pay anything into the IVA as yet (well, first payment made last week) so it is going to mean a big shift for us in how we live

[Shining]

I can understand what you're saying Lem, my IVA was instigated in october and accepted in February so I had a 4 month window of not paying creditors. My IVA payment is realistic and does leave me enough allowance for my utilities etc., We don't have lots to spare but you'll find the little things in life become more important and more appreciated. You take faith that you have an IP that is living in the real world with us and knows how we struggle within an IVA at times, I've had a few payment breaks due to things beyond my control but without a good IP, I know for a fact my IVA would have failed.

You will adjust I'm sure and maybe it won't be easy but at the end of the 5 years I'm sure it will have been worth it. All the best lem you know where I am if you want me. x

[Rosepetal]

Hi, you're right,the IVA does make you take a cold,hard look at what you were doing before it. Christmas could be hard if we don't plan ahead even if only in small ways. we started a savings card off in the supermarket - you can get toys there too&clothes. we've got a chocolate tin where we save change for the dogs injections. i know Kall swears by doing surveys.

Lem, you'll be ok! we're all in the same boat& we're managing,it's just fear. the sooner you get on with it the sooner you'll be clear if it!

[kazzafunk]

I always look at the front pages of the newspapers to see if there are any money off vouchers in there. If so I'll buy that paper just to save money. My sis always keeps an eye out for Toys r us money off coupons to buy toys through the year for Xmas, and doubles up her Tescos coupons to use for Xmas things. It's all about forward planning from what I can see. I've been practising for the last few months as had hardly any credit left!

[Skeef143]

Hi Kat, I know what you mean about feeling better and more at peace. I was on a DMP for just over 2 years before this IVA and in my naivety set an amount which was probably too high. Although I learned to budget a bit and live without credit, so I'm glad I did it.

I have a more realistic allowance table now, and feel much more positive now that everything is on a legal footing. I also think it was affecting me health wise more than I realised too - I've been having colds a lot due to being run down and other niggles, on top of my long term anxiety problems, and I've not had anything like that in the last month. I also saw a friend I hadn't seen for a few weeks, a couple of weeks after I got my decision, and she said that my whole demeanour had altered, and I looked as if a lead weight had been lifted.

Kallis mentioned about people who bulk buy food for Christmas etc. I have never understood this either, but have you noticed, that it's always the people who complain about having no money, who spend hundreds of pounds on Christmas and birthdays etc, as if it's the law??

Just edited this, as I forgot to mention about having a "Post Office Budget Card", as I would highly recommend having one of these - you use it like a prepaid card and load it up, and can use the money towards Utility Bills, Road Tax and so on. I'm lucky in that I live immediately opposite one, so when I've drawn money out on pay day, I'm straight over the road with the money and card before I've missed it.

[susieq73]

I can agree with everything people are saying...In a strange way - if it wasn't for entering the IVA , I would not have had the money this last 2 months to pay for my car repairs etc. All my cards were up to the limits and was barely able to buy food.
I actually at the moment have £70 in a savings account - which I am really proud of. Never had savings in my life and I am now nearly 40!

[ginger3232]

Skeet143 - i was looking at those myself - do they charge extra to pay bills over the counter?

Use to always pay bills by DD - but everyone seems to want to set the DD really high so there is a huge credit balance - then they are obstructive when i demand a reduction on the amount, I then end up cancelling the DD and paying for bills on reciept

[Judo]

Slightly off topic. I wanted to change the dates of my DDs for utilities and CB and CT. Do you think they charge an admin fee for doing this?

[ginger3232]

should not do for the utilites or CT - but the dates might be restrictive. With CT sometimes you can pay 2/52 at a time instead, if that helps

[Skeef143]

Skeet143 - i was looking at those myself - do they charge extra to pay bills over the counter?

Hi Ginger,

http://www2.postoffice.co.uk/counter-se ... udget-card

I've not actually used it for anything yet, but it works the same as a gift card, no extra charges, and you can even use it to part pay something. You can get one there and then over the counter, and top it up by at least £5, and take 2 forms of ID.

[Rosepetal]

Hi judo, we needed to "tydy up" when DD's were being paid,dates were all over the place! terribly confusing!

there was no charge for doing this with any of them,including CT. being more organised helps the budget to work
x

[Judo]

Thanks Ginger and Rosepetal.
I have just gone on a telephone marathon to change my dates.
Like you Rosepetal. Everything is currently coming at all times of the month and my head is all over the place! I just want them to come out at the beginning of every month so I know for sure what I have got left!