www.iva.co.uk

Just recently entered Iva an struggling to make payment

Why are you struggling to make the payment ? How long have you been in the IVA ?

Either your allowances have been set too low or your spending habits haven't adjusted yet.

here is how to drop to "emergency mode", also known as "I fancy a holiday this year and want to go somewhere nice"

Open all your kitchen cupboards, take a good look at what you have, work out what can go with what and plan that out (here is the kicker though, it might not be nice meals, but food is food, we are talking means to an end here.

Your new shopping list will be Pasta, and knorr (or similar) stir in cubes, cook pasta, throw in cube, hey its pasta time, but with xyz flavouring added, again, not particularly fun food, but you just watch how much cash you have. Don;t be afraid to go and hang out at your local tesco / asda / sainsburys (not listed lidl / aldi here for a reason that will become obvious), as at about 8pm (you'll need to work it out) its final discount time when they really marks stuff down, if it meat you can freeze it and it will keep, again look at the packets, see how it can be stored, do not pay attention to the "best before" etc as thats not relevent once you have it frozen.

Look for offers, obviously don't stock up on digestives etc because they are 5% off, I'm talking 2 for 1 or 3 for 2, decent offers that make sense (also ask your work if they can sort you out a costco card if you got one near, as long as you have space there are some serious savings to be made by bulk buying)

Food is probably your number 1 expense after keeping a roof over your head, but its one of the easiest to push down the list..

Also got sky / virgin and not on the basic package, call them up, tell them you are thinking of leaving, they will usually offer a decent discount on your bills to help you out, contract mobile package and out of the initial contract, but its just rolling, that can be dropped as well (reduced mine from 40/mo to 10/mo (I need a large data allowance for my job, but found ways around that))

Excellent tips from Doritos --- I would add though that, sometimes, bigger isn't always cheaper. My lad loves cheesestrings ... can't remember the prices, but al illustrative example. My local supermarket has these in packs of 12 for £3.75 ... they also sell them in packs of 4 for £1, so you get the 12 for £3 !

It is worth checking out the special offers as sometimes the normal prices are cheaper. I once bought some reduced tomatoes only to find the fresher ones were cheaper!!!

Did you put down everything you could claim? Meals for lunch for example. Speak to your IP and explain everything.

It's not unusual to struggle at first, until the realisation that budgeting is essential kicks in. Remember the reasons we all get into debt in the first place, usually its through over-spending (certainly in my case) and it's a big lifestyle change when entering into an IVA.
Take the advice people give you regarding saving money and it will become easier once you're used to it.

Foggy wrote:

Excellent tips from Doritos --- I would add though that, sometimes, bigger isn't always cheaper. My lad loves cheesestrings ... can't remember the prices, but al illustrative example. My local supermarket has these in packs of 12 for £3.75 ... they also sell them in packs of 4 for £1, so you get the 12 for £3 !

100% this, look at the per kg / per item price to work out where the deals are, obviously with christmas coming up if you can freeze it and have space stock up early, check online as some stuff goes odd if you freeze it so may not work with everything, you will get better with hunting out deals, also get used to details, if you are looking at an offer in say Asda (as that was my local when my IVA was running), look at the small numbers on the yellow sticker, then only buy the products with corresponding bar codes (its all matched so you can figure out what is on offer, especially if the shelf is a mess and you need to figure it out, or if items are all packed together like in the fresh meat aisle).

Even now I'll still match the bar codes to make sure I'm getting the deals to kick in.

Also keep an eye out on coupons etc, they can help, there are loads of websites on how to get free stuff out of companies and all that.

I always used to check prices online and if it meant doing shopping at a couple of stores I would do that.

It is a huge change in life style and habits, great tips and tricks already posted that I can't embellish on from the other members. Aldi is your friend, as has been shown from recent news reports about the chicken, most of supermarket 'stuff' is made in the same factories just labelled differently. The cheap beans my not be Heinz but there is very little difference in the taste, and needs must as you will need to get used to 'less expensive' brands/no brand name produce. We all struggled to find the happy medium of what we can and can't afford but once you have hit the sweet spot it does become easier.

Afraid I've never like Aldi or Lidl. Buy own brands when I can but rarely basics (depending on what it is)

After 30 yrs of shopping at m &s and Sainsbury have become an aldi convert. Have saved 160 a month and fruit /veg last longer than from the aforementioned stores. Also buy some frozen veg as no waste. Good advice previously, always check cupboards, see what c a n be used up. Have a also started buying frozen chicken, can't taste difference in casseroles and curries. Am 6months into my via and it has changed my life for the better. I question every penny spent. If only I had Done this many years ago!!!!!

We do a local farm shop now for both veg and meat. Also still do M&S and Sainsburys - depends on what is on offer.

Hannah this is a big problem. You should not be failing at the first hurdle. Something is wrong.

Either you have continued to pay creditors....

The I&E was miscalculated and contributions therefore wrong....

You are overspending on non-essential items...

Iv got Iva but I’m having to help pay bills towards house as my husband is struggling...what should I do??

If, due to a loss of income for your husband, you are having to pay a larger share of the household bills you need to talk to your IP to see if your payments can be reduced.