63 Months out of 66 in and still see no end!!!

[Foggy]

I know what you mean Andrew -- many IP's appear to have no regard or understanding about what it is like at this end --- mentally as well as physically. Luckily there are a few who do

As for being lapped 5 times -- I always wonder how much debt my "lappers" are racking up ---- at the end of my IVA I will be debt free,... I would put money ( if I had any) on the fact that some of my "lappers" will be in my boat by then.

[mole]

Nearly there andrew and I would most definitely swap our positions in the IVA. Your synopsis of the IVA years is spot on.

However, you can relax now, knowing that any events will not jeopodises things this close to the end, whether it be job issues, interest rates, etc

Well done

[andrewgoodman121]

Doing an IVA is one of the hardest things I have ever had the experience of going through and has been a complete rollercoaster and it still ain't finished yet.
Some months have been OK but when you get the Car Tax Renewal months the Boiler breaking month and Xmas then it is definitely not plain sailing and some months you are almost living hand to mouth and drive you to frustration and despair when you have to stretch what you have got to live on after your disposable income has been paid in to the IVA.
It is all right when it is written down on paper but I would challenge any IP or Debt Advisor to try and do it for 5 years and let them see that it is b***** HARD WORK!!!!.

[slushysnow]

OK its tough but at the end of the day we got in debt so the. Iva was a way out Its no use feeling sorry for yourself. Others struggled with no cards and didn't get into debt
Of course its not a piece of cake lives tough The third year was the down to me but once you get to the last it should go quickly
You are feeling that you wasted. 5 years paying back. But you borrowed the money. I read a lot of comments and most are of the poor ole me style looking for a hug Awwwww.

The only way is be positive and strong. I finished mine months ago and not heard a sausage from my Iva company. I don't care. I did what. I said I would. Others are setting out on iva looking at it as a jail term. If you don't want to do it then don't go bankrupt you are out sooner
You can do an Iva yourself you don't need a company if you read money supermarket they tell you

I wasn't told that but hey ho its done now
All you can do is think of it as a bank loan and deal with it no moaning about what you cant donor have. Go without cut your cloth to suit and fight
Harsh but true

[luluj]

Andrew ...keep the focus ... Just a few months left now ....you have done really well and you should be extremely proud of how you and your family have overcome this blip in your lives ...I am sure you will soon realise after it has finished how much you have learnt from this experience ...if like me you will never look back...only forwards into a whole new life xxx

[MelanieGiles]

I know Andrew well and did not misconstrue his post in any way to appear to be derogatory to me or my firm. Sometimes when the end is in sight, it still can seem a very long way off, but trust me - the next three months will soon pass and hopefully you can then enjoy some of those things you feel you have sacrificed.

[andrewgoodman121]

Thanks for the positive post Melanie
I think i was maybe letting a little frustration out but as i am so far and beyond into my IVA and can't wait for it to complete.
I just think it is important to understand that some people see an IVA as an easy option to there Debt Problems and i was one of them but believe me until you have actually done one it is really tough going and isn't always a Bed of Roses as some people think so i would suggest that anybody going for this option to there Debt Problems think very seriously before going ahead as you are going to experience in some of those 60 months periods that are going to test not only your Stamina but also your Mental resolve as well LIKE NEVER BEFORE!!!!

[Daniel Griffiths]

Hi Andrew

Upon reading your post I can understand your frustrations I cannot say I understand how the last five and a half years has been like because I couldnt possibly, but I have to be honest I think sometimes in life the people who are not born to eat at the top table are often paying the price of those who do. I understand that many debtors elect an IVA when Bankruptcy is far a better option with the sole reason of repaying what they can to creditors over a set period, even though we have the most relaxed bankruptcy regime in the Western World debtors still chose an option that is not only tougher on themselves but also their families and I am not saying there is anything wrong in that If I were in debt and thinking of an IVA and lets say Bank of Scotland were one of my creditors I can honestly say I would not enter into a six year period of Austerity, when I hear that three executives of the bank one a Sir the other a Lord, whose actions have been likened to being almost criminal were responsible for tax payers having to bail out the bank to the tune of twenty billion pounds who will be repaying nothing and still collecting six figure pensions, and Bank of Scotland are no different to the other banks,

[Radish]

Know where your coming from. I found the same as you, the first 20 months relief, the middle 20 was tough, CSA, hours cut at work (temporary) and IVA seemed light years off, the third part been tought but manageable with end in sight. I will have completed my 60 months at the end of this month but now got to do my 11 month extension because of problems in the middle section. Glad I stuck it out and will have paid a decent dividend at the end, just want it to go smooth for all my effort and sacrificies. As far as I am concerned I had a deal for £290 for 60 months (dont over 71 months with extension) and I have stuck to it, hope I dont get no problems at the end because I stuck to my end. Know where your coming from. Im disappointed with the extension of 11 months, they could have written some of it off as I paid what I could during the tough times, but I am going to just get my head down and get on with it and pay with a (forced) smile lol. good luck in your final hurdle.

[Foggy]

Daniel, I know what you mean. However, I am one that could have gone BR and been shot of the whole shebang very shortly. But ... maybe foolishly in some eyes, I chose an IVA as the "least worst" option.

Yes, the banks, or those in charge, made a right, royal, fur lined mess of it --- acted very nearly criminally and possible nigh fraudulently to boot. Since those days none of them has acted particularly morally either. But, their sins belong to them, and mine to me. I was brought up to pay my debts ( unlike Sir and Lord whoever ) and intend to do so, to the best of my ability.

It has cost me a fair chunk financially and probably my marriage too --- which I am sure my creditors do not give two hoots about ... but I do!

[komakino]

I empathise totally.

I started my payments in nov 2007 and due to lots of bad luck, job problems, housing problems, illness problems still have £600 arrears to pay over the next 5 weeks or so before I'm done. I was paying just under £1000 a month for all that time. It's been exhausting.

Time is very deceptive...it's hard to say what period of the last 5 years and 5 months were the worst. I'm totally hacked off at the moment even though I've only weeks to go. I have plans to save, make my family have some long needed financial stability etc. I'm not a homeowner still and I'm now 43 years of age.

I struggled with debt for a good few years or so before taking out the IVA so all in all I see almost the last 10 years or so being a complete write-off and am SO impatient to get started on changing it around.

We don't get our next wage day until Thursday and I currently have about £20 in my pocket. It's driving me nuts...

[slushysnow]

its tough people latch onto the. Iva as a desperate attempt to get back to a. Settled life. Its not a get out of jail card or to be taken as an easy option. I think you should have to see a counsellor in person at some point in the. Iva its far too impersonal only known by phone or mail
OK when you finish you should have a new outlook on money. I in the last 3 years have had nothing. Done nothing just stuck at home. I was prepared to sacrifice my own life as such to complete when. I did. I had nothing of value. I sold everything to keep going. I was determined to complete
When. I completed. I felt nothing not even a smile and still don't. If you are happy then you have not understood the process
The reality is you were in deep trouble and got a way out that doesn't alter the fact of how you g:-) of inthe mess in the first place
Now . I don't care I buy as little as possible. Why. Because. I got used to having no money. Or the. Iva taught me a lesson I just got used to having nothing its pretty much taken a huge chunk of my life and who. I was before. I am not happy
The only people who can understand are the ones who finish nobody else

Your last. 3 months will flypast the last year is more about worrying is everything OK. Have you slipped up somewhere. Its normal

[andrewgoodman121]

The whole process of IVA in my eyes is to totally rehabilitate you when it come to money and debt and boy does it do the job.
Not only are you living frugally but it can lead some posters to depression,marital break ups, mood swings and feelings of being a total failure.
I Think some of these IP s need to understand that paying back the Debt is not the only sacrifice that is being made and Years 3-4 are definitely the turning point.
It is nice being Debt Free but to some posters it has most probably cost them there Families and led to long term despair.

[wiggle1]

Hi slushysnow, I was a bit taken aback to read your post-I've finished paying my iva and I'm ecstatic and really proud of myself and my family.

[andrewgoodman121]

i agree there wiggle slushy snow sounded a bit emotion less and depressing.
I will be be ecstatic when mine finishes and can look forward to the future and enjoy a huge pay rise with no IVA anymore.
Through the comments i have made on my posts though i know that some people think an IVA is a god send and an easy option to there Debt Problems but those that have completed or are nearing the end of there IVA's will tell you a different story in that it does TEST YOUR MENTAL RESOLVE!!!!! especially when you get to Years 3-4 as those are the years when you really begin to feel it.