www.iva.co.uk

It is always a difficult call, whether to share debt problems with your nearest and dearest, and whilst relatives can be extremely supportive when times are hard, they will also wonder how you have got into such trouble with finances unless there is some compelling reason such a business failure, divorce, illness or redundancy.

Unless there is a real need to share this with your next immediate relatives, it can often be a better policy to let sleeping dogs lie.

life continues to be a learning experience even at 42yrs of age.

whats next???

Hi NRA.....life is a test of patience.....you have come such a long way and you are on the downward hill now...light is at the end of the tunnel.....
Stay positive...if you want a friend to talk to add me as a frugal friend and we can contact off forum......I won't judge...having been in the same position I fully understand x

We've been in our iva for 5 and a half years and are due to finish this month. (I'm finding it hard to believe that they won't find a reason for us not to finish - back to dreading the phone ringing etc.) We haven't told anybody that we're in an iva, too ashamed I suppose, but it is so hard trying to explain why we can't go to family events, days out etc. I do sympathise with you but I think if I had this time over again (God forbid!!!!) I would tell my family.

Your story has made me cry nra, but I am so proud of you. I only found this forum last month and wish I had found it 5 years ago when my IVA journey started. Nobody knows about my IVA and it has been difficult at times carrying the weight and not being able to offload. You are so brave and should be incredibly proud of yourself. Use the support of this fantastic forum and remember that all of the members are rooting for you and wishing you good luck. You are over half way .... Lucy x

its around 4 years since i first plucked up the courage to contact Melanie and address my debt issues.

at the end of the month i make my 48th payment.

for once im starting to feel a bit more positive about this whole process and hoping the conclusion comes around very quickly.

the last 4 years have been a constant battle but im starting to win.

despite all that life has thrown at me im getting stronger and keeping my chin up more than i was.

just wanted to acknowledge my admiration to everyone involved in helping me through this process.

It's good to hear from you nra and I'm glad things are looking up for you x

I too am glad things are easing for you, you're on the home straight now. hang in there x

It is fantastic to see how far you have come nra, and are now facing your final year. Thank you for posting your thoughts, as others will gain munch encouragement from following your journey.

FAO Melanie

would it be possible to contact you directly via email??

Hi nra

Melanie is out of the office today but if you contact her she will get back to you on Monday

Enjoy your weekend

so I made my final payment in September 15 and today in the post received my certificate of completion.

it has been 6 very difficult years dealing with lifes stresses never mind the constraints and impact of being in an IVA.

I have suffered a breakdown in a relationship,disappointed my parents and not been able to provide my son with all he deserves.

I take no satisfaction at having come through this process as im embarrassed to say the least at having gotten into it at all.

im not sure what the % is for people completing there IVA but im guessing it must be less than half-its a very tough experience.

however at 45 years of age I have learned a very hard lesson and hope now I can start to rebuild my life.

throughout it all I can say only good things about Melanie Giles and her team,who were there on the occasions I needed advice and support - without doubt I wouldn't be here without them for I really did fall to rock bottom on several occasions.

good luck to anyone entering an IVA,choose your supervisor wisely and think it through and all the implications.

over the years this website has been a good place to get support and appreciate youre not on your own.

I feel a little anti-climatic...not sure how youre supposed to feel but im just glad its over.

Happy that you've received your certificate and can finally move on and put this behind you. Good luck for your future.

Well done nra - glad it is over for you.

Well done - you finished! After all those years of hard work you made it to the finishing line. So you made a few mistakes that caused you to end up in the IVA - so what, everyone makes mistakes but you took action to fix yours and now you have learned from them. I'm sure your parents will get over it and now you can make things up to your son a little with your free money that you now get to keep! Congratulations again and good luck for the future.