www.iva.co.uk

hi all, been in iva since march this year and starting to find i'm struggling bit - really gets me down having to watch every penny and not beable treat myself to anything!

company i work for is merging on 1 november still not been told 100% that i will still have a job but am praying that i will, have decided to buy out my holiday entitlement for rest of year up to dec as i don't seem to be using it and don't want to lose it, i understand that i should pay 50% of this across but i was hoping i could keep it now and add an extra payment tothe end of the term as i need to purchase a laptop, and obviously with xmas coming up it b very handy - unfortunately when i suggested this to the company dealing with the iva they won't allow this but have said i can get a laptop with my 50%, if the laptop price is higher than my 50% share they could come to an arrangement on the 50% i supposed to hand over but i have found one which would currently cost me £250 which i could pay for with my 50% but would leave me with nothing for spare cash!!! so i wouldn't use the cash for laptop as is needed elsewhere with xmas coming up and with my partner not working it makes it even worse - don't understand why i can't add on an extra payment as the creditors would get more on an extra payment of what i pay now to what they would get if i hand over 50%!!!!! really depresses me more when no one listens and can never actually speak to my ip or account managaer always customer service

Hi Cat

Sorry to hear you're struggling. Is the laptop a necessity? I know we feel they're like our lifelines ( I certainly do), but under normal circumstances a laptop wouldn't be deemed a necessity so I can't see creditors agreeing to you spending the money in this way.

It's concerning you can't speak to your IP - which company are you with? Do you think your allowances are accurate, as you shouldn't have to struggle in an IVA. It's supposed to be a manageable way of repaying debt.

Hi Cat, you should be able to speak to your IP if you go to the Insolvency website they have a list of IP's find yours and then email him/her direct. Is money received in lieu of holidays classed as a windfall, I'm not suggesting it's not but it just seems you've given up time off work for the money, be good to get a professionals opinion.

yeah i do feel that it is needed i am trying to improve my skills on computer etc to improve myself and also would like to start a degree course next year which i would need it for - unfortunately as i'm in iva i can't get it via mobile broadband where they do free laptop deals. the customer service person agreed i should get one just that it would be paid for fully out of my 50% leaving me with nothing and to be honest this is a very cheap laptop in 1st place.

i'm with blair endersby and have never actually spoken to my ip and only ever once to my ip - the allowances were given for me as individual but i also support my partner which costs more and living at home with parents means i notactually have many expenses in first place so all my disposable income is taken up by it

with regards to giving up my holiday for the pay i have just been told straight by customer service that it is a bonus never chance to speak any further

Hi Cat,

You can email your IP directly using this link:

http://www.insolvency-service.co.uk/newipsearch.htm

cat there are grants out there that support learners and provide funding for Laptops etc., when returning to learn. Ask at Student Services etc. for any such funding in your area, you can also get the Office Package at a much reduced cost.

Can i just ask why you also support your partner?

get out and do a bootsale, youll pull a couple of ton in a week or so and empty your loft as well.

On the rare occasion I've done a boot sale I've never made anywhere near that much!

Cat85....try hotukdeals site...should be able to find a decent priced lappy.

http://www.hotukdeals.com/

I don't believe that purchasing your unsused holiday entitlement is a windfall, so I would fight this one out with your IP - and if the laptop is essential you are making a very good point as to what to do with the money.

have to support my partner coz hes not working & not receiving job seekers but he lives at home and his dad doesn't work either so theres never any money for food for me and my partner so an awful lot more goes towards food shopping

living at home only have stuff which i personally own which wouldn't be enough for boot sale have sold old dvds in past online but not got that much for them

Thank you melanie i will try to e-mail my ip direct and see what he has to say hopefully he may agree with what you have said but way i'm looking at it i would have no problem adding an extra month on to the iva to pay more to my creditors where they are missing out now on the 50%

have e-mailed my ip directly so will hopefully receive a response soon

Hi Cat fingers crossed for you xx