www.iva.co.uk

I realise my IVA hasn't dropped off my credit report yet, it should next month, but apart from opening a catalogue account, I haven't been able to secure a loan (I was hoping to buy some new furniture for my flat without the inflated catalogue prices!)

I just wonder if anyone has once the six years are up?

Well done for getting through the IVA though - I think it gets easier after the 6 years. You'll have stacks of replies soon on here on things to do to repair your rating. Have you a mobile phone contract? Thought about a Vanquis card?

Struggling63 - even though the IVA will no longer should - neither will any history of managed credit - it still may take a few years to access certain main stream credit products.

Lending criteria has changed dramatically over the last few years.

Credit building is just that (building) and that takes time !

All my utilities are up to date(although the gas,electric,water and BT don't appear on my Experian report), never missed a payment on my mobile phone contract throughout my IVA......if the bad stuff drops off, will my up to date payments on these help?

They will help - but what lenders look for is well a managed bank account and good credit management (which you wont have at the moment). I also would not to get hung up on credit scores - as these really mean nothing as each lender has diffrent criteria.

Utilities wont show unless you default and action is taken against you

Mobile phone /normal bank account (small overdraft)and a credit card as well as making sure you are on the Elect Roll.

I echo Ginger's post totally.

Gosh do you know, is it just me but why on earth would you want to go through the hardship of enduring an IVA for 5/6 years and then immediately start looking at trying to secure credit again? Maybe I am alone in this but after all we've been through with credit and debt and now being in an IVA, when this is all over I really don't want to ever get a penny on credit for anything ever again, I appreciate I have a mortgage so am tied from that aspect but as for anything else, we will save up for it or do without.

A lot of people do lem. They may want a mortgage or want to be able to rent in the future or get car credit.

I don't think we can ever say 'never again'! We just have to be selective.

Lem, I thought I would feel the same, but having done without for 5 years,I just thought it would be nice to have a new bed, and a wardrobe without using all my own money.

I certainly won't use credit for anything frivolous ever again that's for sure.

You can but try struggling!

Credit card is a blessing today - a it offers protection against goods not arriving/breaking down or worse if the company goes bust. - as long as its is paid off every month.

Debit card offers only limit protection.

Must admit i only use the debit card for the cash machine - everything else is on the CC then paid off.

Do you know struggling? I guess I would probably feel the same but I really don't think I would trust myself with credit again and it would be the start of a slippery slope for me, all credit to you though if you can do it, however for me, I love actually buying something with my own money now though and knowing that I'm not going to have a bill drop through the door at the end of the month

I do prefer cash but would not rule out a credit card with a low limit in the future.

I hopefully won't need it as house will be paid off and I will be retired.

I never want to have a rolling credit card balance again, but would likely get one on completion and pay off the balance each month, to build a credit history again, to assist the purchase of a car. That would be it, for everything else it will be a case of save cash for purchases or go without.

Ginger, I think a visa debit card gives you the same protection as a credit card these days