New user

[naos]

Hello Everyone, new on here. Just in process of getting finances sorted. Meeting with ip on Friday.
Already getting phonecalls - I had thought I would get a bit further before this started - first missed payment on one card last week - totally clean record prior to this for many years.
What happened to the 30 day period that the banks supposedly agreed with the government?
[:(]

[kallis3]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

The calls will always start as soon as you miss a payment I'm afraid.

However, you are on the way to sorting your problems out. Don't let the calls get to you, be polite and tell them you in the process of sorting your finances out. Don't be bullied into making any payments to them.

The forum is here for any support or advice you need, so post away!

[luluj]

Welcome to the forum - stayed logged on and you will receive many notes of support and advice from the experts on here.

You have taken the first and hardest step in admitting you need help - we have allbeen through it and can offer you the support you need.

Good luck with your meeting on Friday with your IP

[plasticdaft]

Welcome to the forum Naos. The phone calls will get worse before they get better but thats all part of sorting yourself out.

Good luck meeting the IP(what firm are you using??)

[naos]

Hi and thanks for the messages of support.

Have considered changing phone number and going ex-directory - is this worth doing?
Meeting on Friday is first meeting to discuss options - iva or br - trying out O'Hara and Co.

[MelanieGiles]

Good luck with the meeting and let us know how you get on.

[kallis3]

Just googled them and they appear to be for companies mostly, if I have the correct company.

I would also speak to one or two more companies. Visit www.iva.com for a list of companies and reviews or click on the expert link on the left hand side of the page. The experts who post on here come highly recommended.

Make sure that they don't charge you upfront fees, most companies don't. Similarly, if bankruptcy is recommended and they offer to help, find out how much they charge for that. You can do BR yourself for just the court fees of £495.

As to the calls, it won't hurt to change your number and go ex directory, that should stop them.

[naos]

Thanks for the replies.
They do work for individuals also. Will see how the first meeting goes and make a decision on that.

Will probably look at changing numbers - have got the dreaded Barclays - they are phoning every half hour.

Thanks again.
[:)]

[kallis3]

If they do charge upfront fees, and you do decide to go with them, make sure they are refundable if an IVA is not approved. Some firms don't refund them.

[naos]

Thanks - will do.

[David Mond]

I know Peter O'Hara and I believe you are in safe hands. However if they request upfront fees - refuse. There are many firms who don't ask for same who will be only too pleased to advise you.

[flumpy dog]

hey naos good luck with whoever you choose and dont forget when you need help and support we're here x [:)]

[naos]

Hi, thanks for all the support.

Had my initial meeting yesterday and we decided to go down the route of an iva. It was mentioned that due to my lack of assets, that br might be a better choice, but I mentioned that I do have some input into budget handling at work, and, even though I think I would be ok with my job and going for br, I would prefer not to test it. (Besides which, all my efforts over the past few years to keep my head above water have turned me into a rather expert accountant!!)
The meeting went well and I was impressed with their professional manner and friendly atmosphere.
They are currently putting together a draft proposal for me to read through, hopefully by the end of this coming week.
I have also been asked to put together a statement as to how I got into my debt situation - currently working on this - is there anything I should be wary of mentioning in such a statement?

[kallis3]

Glad everything went ok, and it all sounds very positive.

As regards your statement of affairs, just be honest and tell them what you spent the money on.

With us, for example, it was house improvements, cars, consolidation, holidays. That was all we put down and it went through no problem.