hi i completed my iva early -

[jc1180]

Hi all

i was very lucky - my parents gave me the cash to pay it off as it was killing me..i was on the verge of redundancy and was on the edge of selling my property and moving back in with my folks... i am having to pay them back but its a lot less per month than my iva and job now secure so i can actually breathe again.. i have very amazing parents. i did try working loads of overtime but everytime i did by the time i had been taxed on it and had to put half into the iva it was leaving me with next to nothing - i was working 70 hours per week at work and then working part time on saturdays and sundays - after i'd paid half in and taxed i ended up with about 75 pound to myself - not really worth it for the amount of hours - i was physically and mentally exhausted. my advice is keep to your budget - i know its very difficult i struggled for 3 years - whatever amount of money was mine for shopping etc i would take out of the bank on pay day and split into 4 seperate envelopes - then that would be my budget for the week - i never went into the next envelope unless it was a special occasion or an emergency but then i knew that if i did that then the next week i would be living on beans and toast and cereal. that way i knew exactly what i could spend each month - i was never tempted to borrow off firms such as provident as i had learned a big lesson with getting into debt in the first place - my motto now is if you aint got the cash in your pocket then dont have it - save until you do..it was difficult and i know how frustrating and limiting it can make your life but please all stick with it and you will get there. the 4 envelopes may seem really mad but it really helped me. i also did little things like froze my bread into 4 slices at a time and only take out what i need as i was forever spending nearly 5 quid a week just on bread...its cutting back on the little things that make the difference...each month i would save 10 pound for xmas - that would give me enough put by to buy gifts for xmas for my family..they were budget gifts - taking advantage of offers such as 3 for 2 in boots etc or even grabbing bargains on ebay - and i was forever selling things on there to give me a little for luxuries - you would be surprised what people buy...please dont all kill yourself with overtime because you dont see the benefit it doesnt reduce the term that you are tied too in your IVA. hope some of this helps x x

[kallis3]

Excellent post jc, and hopefully an inspiration for other pooters.

[MelanieGiles]

What's a pooter Jan!!!!! Is this some strange Black Country term??

[jc1180]

thanks kellis - it was the hardest 3 years of my life and i learned the hard way - now i have to concentrate onrebuilding my credit rating - i think the only debt i will ever have now will be a mortgage...even when my credit rating is repaired i wont be taking on loans or cards etc..they spiral out of control far too easily...i'm actually glad my credit rating wont allow me to do this now...keep me posted on your progress..i wish you all the best x

[kallis3]

Trust you to spot that Mel![:D][:D] Fingers were obviously working too fast and I wasn't concentrating!

JC - thanks, I hope that I will be able to post a successful completion in a few years time.