www.iva.co.uk

Hi i'm new on this forum, we are 2 1/2 yrs in and i'm feeling like the end of the tunnel is miles away do you have any tips to help us get through the dark times? Thanks i will appreciate anything you say to lift us!

Hi and welcome to the forum. You've found us that's good and use the forum for support/advice whenever you need to.

We as posters are all at varying stages of the journey. Have a look at the blogs too as they can be helpful.

One way to view the IVA is an interest free loan for 5 or 6 years which will clear ALL of your debts

Add to that you are half way through -- so, from now on the light at the end of the tunnel will start to get brighter.

Finally, make use of us on here .. pop on for a moan, giggle or a rant.

You have now climbed the hard road to the top of the mountain - and are now half way through. The path downhill is always the easiest one - and whilst it is natural to have the mid-way blues - try to remember how much better off you are now than before you entered into the IVA. And only two Christmases left to scrimp and save for.

Now is the time to start putting some firm wishes on the wish list for how you are going to spend or invest that saved money once the IVA has completed.

Mel, are you an angel from afar ? How do you always manage to come up with such wisdom and comfort ??

I know it seems never ending at the moment but it will be worth it. Try to find something you enjoy doing as a family that doesn't cost much. We took up cycling- buying second hand bikes and cycle to work schemes. We go off with packed lunches and have a great time together, although the kids and hubby have to wait for me quite a lot! Saved money as well as on non-rainy days we cycle to work saving petrol and bridge tolls.

Is the cycling where you got your screen name from wiggle ?????

No, wiggle was what my mum used to call me!! Can see where you're coming from though. Actually haven't been able to afford things from Wiggle all my cycling stuff has come from Lidl!

Debrodge46 put it this way - let`s swap places [;)]

Hi Debrodge,

Well done for getting half way in your journey!

I am very jealous of how far you have come, and it is always lovely to see and hear about other people's IVA travels.

I don't have any advice as I am only 11 mths in, but I tick my payments off each month and count them down as I go.
I worked out that as ours is 72 mths, we end ours in 2018, and are planning our years as they come up- maybe not a great idea, but planning ahead has seemed to make the time fly so far.

I also think that reminding yourself of how bad things were before you dealt with the debt are always good for helping you through the tough months.

Hi Debrodge46. Welcome to the forum. The best thing so far is that you've got a good 30 months under your belt, and you now have us. You have probably honed your skills at budgeting, and buying what you need rather than just what you fancy, which could make what you saved/budgeted for more meaningful. I went back to cooking using only fresh food, and it's so much cheaper and nutritious than convenience or takeaway stuff - move over Nigella!! There has been some really dark times, but the sense of achievement and lessons learned has made it worth it. Finding this forum has been the best of all. Good luck as you move toward the light. x

Welcome to the forum from me too ! Your debt free journey has reached the half way mark and you are now coming down towards the finishing line. You have come so far.....when we had dark periods in our IVA I would get my proposal ocument out and read the detail in it...the reason for our debt and our monthly outgoings prior to the IVA. I would also seek support from my close friends who knew about the IVA .....
The biggest challenge for us was to learn the budgeting skills that are required to make things happen

The forum is here for you at any time. Rant away when you want to and somebody will be here to support at anytime.

What lovely words Foggy. I haven't been called an angel since I was six years old and played one in the school nativity play. And if you speak to my hubby - I think the word she-devil might be more appropriate in his eyes. He looked so relieved to wave me off back to work this morning!!!

Mel - Lol!! We welcome you back with open arms!! x [:D]