Has anyone done 60 months with not a Hiccup

[kallis3]

I'm annoyed with mine because initially, way back in 2006 we were told that we couldn't do an IVA so did a DMP for 18 months until we contacted Payplan (we were with a fee paying DMP company before that) to swap over. They asked us why we weren't in an IVA and the rest, as they say, is history.

Problem is that if we'd been allowed to do one originally then we'd have been finished this year!)

[lem]

I have to say for us, life has got better since we have been in the IVA, although I realise we are only a few months in and a lot can happen in the next few years, we both fortunately have very secure jobs but I have found that now we are settling into it, we have money in the bank every month and are no longer overdrawn, can afford to eat properly, we can afford to buy clothes without having to put it on credit, we have even just redecorated the bathroom, kitchen and stairs! (granted, all it needed was a lick of paint but we have still had enough to do it), and all this is because previously I had whittled down our household budget so much to keep ourselves afloat that we went without for years just to pay creditors so I became very adept at budgeting, starting the IVA with the budgets we now have which feel are very generous considering what we had to play with before, as budgeting so fierce is so ingrained in me now, it means we can afford those little luxuries each month, we have had a couple of months where things have been tight due to car repairs but I have just really cut back those months and we have got through ok

We certainly haven't had to resort to charity shop buying and rifling through skips yet!, although as I have said, who's to know how things will pan out in a couple of years?

[komakino]

@lem - I hope things run 100% perfectly for you. I wouldn't wish any of the stress I've had on anyone.

@Foggy - yep - 16 months to go and then a normal life hopefully. We'll be just under £1k a month better off as well - sounds unbelievable at present.

[kallis3]

Life has been better for us as well and I do have a secure job now - been told recently that it is safe.

I don't mind buying from Charity Shops - they have some great stuff in there. Not rifled through any skips though and I don't think I would.

[Foggy]

That's a holiday a month ... save up for a while and get a car !!!!! The possibilities are endless

[kallis3]

That will be brilliant komakino - what a great time you can have with your money!!

[nepensioner]

Whilst mine was a Full and Final last year, the whole situation gave me such a shock, for the first time in my long life I am now living well within a tight budget and managing to save. I have certainly learnt my lesson and have great fun seeking out bargains particularly in charity shops, and having things repaired and not just replacing things courtesy of my many credit cards.

[orchid5]

I am now into hopefully my final year, although still waiting to hear about that one. My journey so far as for the rest of you hasn't been easy but at least with the winter bills and everything else that has been budgeted for i'm able to sit back and not dread those utility bills coming through the door. Learning how to manage on a budget shows what skills you can and do pick up, saving vouchers, buying a couple of stamps a week soon mounts up. One thing i'm sure of doing once this is all over and that i will never have another credit card, i have lived without them for over 5 years now so don't need to have them, moto is if i can't afford it, i don't have it or otherwise put money aside for it. Good luck to everyone both in and contemplating an IVA, it isn't easy but it certainly gives you peace of mind.

[dontlookback]

hiya all what amazing posts , i think at the end we need councling to get us adjusted to normal shopping ,when i recently changed banks i nearly blew a fit when they asked if i wanted an over draft or credit card the most desperate thing i had to do was was say my horse was smaller then he really was when the horse collecter came to fetch him after he died to keep cost down ,first thing im going to do is have a plaque made in his memory , its been a hell of a journey but worth it so all you starting out dont look back 60mths sounds shorter than 5 yrs .

[Hippo]

Hi
Yes have had problems same as most people whether in a IVA or not If i had a pet ot a horse that would be gone at the start I dont know how you can afford to keep them and yourself and struggle for it
I set off on my IVA knowing that I was going to be in a tough place and would struggle along no matter what happened

I made the mess and I would get out of it People are worse off than I am and I am pretty secure in my life apart from spending money I have what I need and not what I want Yes I feel like I am missing out but I just think to when my IVA is finished and can catch up I look at this time of my life as being semi retired and chilling out If you want to be miserable you can say you are stuck at home and sulk All a matter of perspective

As I heard today a very nice saying Its not about the Journey its about the Destination I think that sums up what an IVA is all about : )

[kallis3]

I have three dogs and have managed to look after them and continue with my IVA and would not be without them - I would struggle myself before letting them down.

You're obviously not a pet lover Hippo.

[Skippy]

You're obviously not an animal lover then Hippo - if you were you'd understand how the majority of pet owners feel about their pets. No real animal lover would get rid of their pets as easily as that.

We'd go without before Harry had to.

[kallis3]

Wouldn't be without my dogs at all!

[Shining]

I'd never say never about rehoming my dogs but an IVA won't make that decision for me, my dogs are cared for within my budget and I sacrifice parts of my budget for my dogs.

Great post and Oscar I do hope that your blog comes through ok in the end. x

[kallis3]

I would never rehome my dogs - couldn't be without them at all. All three are rescue and I couldn't send them back to kennels.