www.iva.co.uk

Hi All

Well Christmas shopping completed, for the last time in an IVA. £60 spent and gifts bought to cover all the family. (I dont have children)

It was such a good feeling though handing over cash!! not using plastic or borrowing off any credit card.

It is bad to write but isnt it great that some of the big shops like M&S and JL have slashed the prices of some items instore already, I say bad because of the finances of everyone.

A word of advice really to anyone who is thinking of using these companies who are currently advertising on every advert break. The Cash till pay day ones.

DONT DO IT!!

It is not worth it, they are not helpful, they are making huge amounts of money out of the desparation of some people. up to £35 per £100 you borrow and if you extend into another month it works out you pay them £70 for £130 in total then if you extend again which you will pay them £105 for borrowing £300 of which you only see £295.

I write this as I have seen it happen to a friend who is stuck a very nasty circle of debt now. They borrowed £500 and paid £175 for the privilage and are now paying £175 per month just to extend the borrowing.

Please take my advise.

Well said about the payday loans, I've never had one but I know people get really stuck.

I don't have children either so will spend about the same as you, don't have many to buy for and if I did I'd just have to be honest about it this year. We don't buy for each other, and have even cut down for Mum who knows our situation, in fact our main gift to her isn't financial but time, we are going to take her to the North East of Scotland for a week, where she grew up as she hasn't been for years. This will cost obviously but we'll save, the gift is doing it!

Thats lovely Fiona x

Where abouts roughly Fiona,I used to live up near Forres(in fact got married up there).

Paul

I think the best present of all is quality time with someone so hope you have a lovely time together.

So pleased djsmartie you say about the payday loans - I have a moan every time the adverts come on the TV as I just know there will be por unsuspecting victims who pick up the phone thinking its an easy solution for now, only to find later the mess it will cause - those companies are dreadful. Some people mistakenly think that becasue something is advertised on TV/Radio and with famous people involved then it must be a good idea... The good thing is they are being more ovvious about the hideous interest rates theycharge but even then some people don't think about that and just borrow.

Well done everyone on here who is making Christmas work on a tight budget - it makes you value the people and what you're giving them much more although know its still really hard and especially for those who haven't yet confided in anyone yet so still having to ut on the illusion.

Regards,

At least the payday loans are regulated though,and up front with cost. What they dont perhaps do is care if you can repay or not. They are filling a gap because the banks wont lend small amounts to anyone that isnt squeaky clean.Thousands of people will tell you that they offer a service they couldnt do without,although I agree if you arent careful you could get caught up in a vicious circle,hmm just like I did with mainstream banks then!!! And the hideous interest rates dont come in to play if you pay the loan back when you are meant to,its only when you cant manage that that it gets troublesome.

Paul

Me and my other half have binned off the present this year, instead as a 'gift' to each other were having boxing day in the house together, all alone! Phones turned off, curtains staying shut and were just havign a day together with good food, a few nice bottles, mud packs, massage oils and a few good films to spend the rest of the evening together snuggled up! Why bother wasting money we dont have and rubbish we dont need? All we need is some time together, what more could anyone want for xmas??

eww....eww.....eww....ive just read that back and it sounds right filthy ha ha ha!!

nooo that sounds lovely! I agree time is more important than money.

Thanks all, I think she'll be really surprised. We really nearly lost her this year and although it would be nice to buy gifts, I know she doesn't need anything, but I know she wants more time with me.

Plasticdaft, my mum comes from a farm between Strichen and New Pitsligo, not too far from Fraserburgh. The farm is now an animal sanctuary so I have contacted them to ask if we can visit so mum can see the old farmhouse (hope it's still standing) - and me too I spent all my school holidays there.

That will be a fantastic visit no doubt!!!And possible tear jerker!!

Paul

done mine of firday one each for my two sons, paid in cash.
Last year I was buying things upto the 24th thinking that not enough.
When I told my sons things would be changing as I was in debt.
There both said, are you and mum (ex wife)sill having xmas dinner with us together . As seeing you both is the best part of the day.

I was saying the same thing to my partner who isn't in an IVA but doesn't earn a great wage, we have brought all the food and pressies, mainly by saving vouchers, buying stamps each week and putting whatever little we had away, amazing how much you accumulate and not a credit card insight nor the worry of the bill falling on the doorstep in january to meet with the jan blues!

The supermarket stamps is a great way to save up,even a pound a week makes xmas that little bit less expensive feeling when it comes along!!!

Paul

i didnt know supermarkets still did the stamp system of saving! Do they all do this?

Arty

I know Morrisons do but not sure about others. x