www.iva.co.uk

Just wanted to say hi. I am process of starting an IVA and hope to go with Melanie Giles, had a the first telephone call with Tina and am in the process of putting together my paperwork.

I'm in lots of debt, lol - as you would expect - but today I am feeling positive and getting on with it. There are lots of dark days and I have read this forum for support. I wanted to introduce myself as I will have to lean on you in the future I'm sure.

It's both amazing and shocking how debt creeps up on you and how long you can be in denial, it's makes me feel sick just thinking about it.

I'm writing this now as I have lots to do and I need to do it to spur me on. Wish me luck.

Hi and welcome to the forum.

You have picked an excellent team and I am sure they will sort you out.

The forum is always here for you for help and support.

Good luck - we've all been where you are.

Good luck, finding the paper work dose take time, but it will all be wroth it in the end.
you have a great company working for you.
there have been great getting me a yes.

Mel was our IP,Tina is a star - so easy to talk to. you're in good hands.

this part is good but v sobering - you feel busy but facing it lead my hubby to feel a bit low.

debt grows like a weed,you're not alone.[;)]

welcome from me too BDM. This part is difficult, like being in limbo, however dig deep and find your patient streak and then you will need to change your forum name. Do let us know how you get on or have any queries.

Thanks for your kind words. I have spent the time since the first post going through the budget with my wife. I think it is realistic but it's sticking to it, without deviation that's key, and I haven't ever done that before.

I was sat in front of the computer looking at the field where to put my screen name and I drew a blank. I wonder if you can change it as I already have enough labels stuck on me and fingers pointing.

Hi there and a big welcome from me with thanks that you have chosen my firm to represent you.

Budgeting can be difficult if you have not been disciplined to keep an eye on the pennies in the past, and is always better if both of you are involved rather than just one of you. In time you will find that being thrifty can be quite fun, and you will treasure those few pounds you will be able to save and spend on yourselves even more.

I can remember a time when my husband has lost his job and I had to do the full family weekly shop out of £20. Thankfully we had Kwik Save in those days - but I actually got quite a buzz from seeing just how far I could stretch that sum. Your new forum friends will be very forthcoming with budgeting tips, and your positivity is bound to get you through those dark days.

Well done for taking the first step - it is always the steepest, and I look forward to speaking with you personally very soon.

You'll love the first time you look at your bank statement at the end of the month and it's in the black!!!

It does take a bit of getting used to but you'll get there!!

Welcome to the forum and good luck on your journey. You are in safe hands with Mel and Tina x

hi, perhaps GoodDecsionMaker? - you've faced it,that is so hard & now you're sorting things out[:)] &you've chosen a very good IP. all good choices[:)]

the budgeting feels daunting at first,the set up phase is good practise - we followed the budget from hubbys 1st wage after starting the IVA process. you'll soon get into new GOOD habits.

have you got a new basic bank account yet? we opened a saving account to - we put clothes allowance etc away to stop us spending it. save every penny for your emergency fund.

well done[;)]

Hi BDM - welcome to the forum - as well as all the support you'll get from us at the office you couldn't have joined a better bunch of online buddies who have all been there and wearing the Tshirt or at least trying it for size. Between us all we'll help you through it - you'll be amazed at how time flies.

Look forward to speaking with you some more along the way.

Regards,

Welcome to the forum BDM [;)]

This forum is a great source of support and information so make sure you hang around and keep us updated with your journey!

Arty Farty [:D]
)O(

Hi GDM,
well you have faced up to your debt, and that means the hardest part is over.

The most stressfull part i found was setting up a new bank account and gathering all the paperwork, once thats all done its down to mel and her fab team to do the rest, and you can be absolutley assured they will do their very best by you.

Budgeting is quite interesting, you adapt and still manage to have everything you need by looking for bargains and buying cheaper versions, you just have to realise you cant always have the things you want, i would say if you can manage to save a little during the period your iva is being set up, maybe now that your not paying your creditors you could save that money, and to continue saving on a monthly basis it soon adds up and is quite reassuring knowing you have a little set aside should something break down etc.
good luck
kat

Welcome to the forum BDM, budgeting is a skill I'll give you that and I'm still learning but I wholeheartedly agree with Mel here, it gets kind of addictive and you end up getting quite savvy learning to stretch your budget in ways you never though possible.

I am with Mel too and I can guarantee you are with a fantastic team who will take very good care of you and ensure that when you get to the proposal stage your budget is fair to you and your creditors. Mel is very fair and honest and will do her best to help you get through the next few years, she's very approachable.

Whilst you are getting your stuff together, sit down and be completely honest about what you spend each month and what your bills cost, don't try to skimp at this stage, put it forward to Mel's team and see what they say, they will advise you if it's realistic.

The best thing about being in an IVA and learning to budget for me is being able to work with my budget and save a little each month so that when we do buy anything, it's OUR's and paid for with our own money rather than MBNA's or capital one's, xmas we have just had was completely paid for without credit and I have a little smile to myself now when I hear my colleagues at work growning about their credit card bills this month.

Good luck, this is a fantastic forum, very supportive and non judgemental and we're here to help you every step of the way

Hi and welcome to the forum from us too. Good luck with your journey i hope its a smooth rise for you and that you'll soon be on your way to becomming debt free x