www.iva.co.uk

I wrote on the forum the other week that I had takentthe step of cuting up my cards and making moves to sort out our situation once and for all soon. I am now feeling the pinch and feeling sick - need two new tyres, younger daughter needs new school shoes, has had a growth spurt and nothing fits, car tax due next week - gone back to work after months of being off sick and I feel dreadful. I know some people are worse off but it doesn't help hearing that I'm afraid. Am now swaying between feeling good that I haven't got the cards and can't spend on them and feeling sick that things are so bad - and to top it all I had to do some shoping this weekend and I know that it will take me over my overdraft limit.

Feeling really fed up and down hearted that I am trying to sort things out but just hiting obstacles all the time.

Oh elizabeth, I think we've all had days when it never rains just pours. I think the sooner you and hubby sort your finances out good and proper you will start to feel better. I know this will not help now, but I'm sure melanie or someone will be able to offer professional help soon..

thanks for the words of comfort - I know we have to sort things out once and for all and we are making steps - I have sorted out new account and transferring all dds - I have just something at work stoping me sorting things out immediately but will be able to do very shortly I am also still struggling with " can't believe I can't sort things myself" .

I know Pride is the biggest hurdle, we found, but making positive steps to right our wrongs made us feel a little bit better, at least we have stopped borrowing off Peter to pay back Paul, which is a positive step.. and at least with an IVA, we will be able to pay something back

Hi
Once you commit to the IVA route you will normally be advised to stop paying all your unsecured creditors.This may give you the chance to get straight and upto date with car issues and essential clothing
Regards

Hi

You are in panic mode and it all seems black, plus there are so many what ifs. You need to balance this out with I am doing something about my debts, I am not getting deeper and deeper in. I know its quite scary when there are no credit cards to fall back on. That little black number in your brand new account is just what you have and no more. (I remember panicking about this myself.

Give yourself a pat on the back for coming this far, there are plenty more out there who havent fessed up to themselves yet. Make a priority list of things you need to get and take one day/thing at a time. The thick black fog your in right now is scary but it will clear.

I know it doesnt feel like it right now but youre on the right road, its a long journey, you dont know whats around the next bend but you will cope, none of us really know where our journey will end in this, its just a question of trying to stay sane along the way.

We all feel for you and we all care.

Take care of you for now.

Love

Hi Elizabeth.

At least you are taking steps to get things sorted and once you apply for the IVA, things can only get better.

Can yo ulook on EBay for tyres or go somewhere that sells re treads ? Asda and Primark usually have great kids stuff - I know it isn't designer, but when it comes down to that or nothing, it surely has to be an option.

Once the IVA is approved, you will be on more of an even keel for budgeting.

Hang in there - it can only get better.

Hi elizabeth

It is such a pressure having finacial worries and it can make you feel very down in the dumps.
I think its very important to look after yourself and the stress will make your medical condition so much worse, easier said than done I know to stop stressing!!
I can't remember properly but are you looking to propose an iva or have you looked into that already?

Take care of yourself
Emma x

Hiya Elizabeth, what you're feeling is normal. You have been propped up knowing that you can use your cards when you need to get things and now you don't have that 'security'.
As it's already been said, when you decide to take the IVA route, you would normally stop paying your creditors, which may give you a bit breathing space to get sorted. As far as I know it doesn't matter if you have missed payments or not when it comes to your IVA being accepted by your creditors.
How long do you think it will be before you have the IVA sorted? If it's not going to be long it shouldn't create that much of a fuss by the way of letters and phonecalls. Also by making some payments may be seen as preference to certain creditors.

If you are worried about missing payments then just give everyone a 'token' payment, say a fiver, then you can use the rest the get straight and sorted before the IVA is in place. You would still get phone calls, letters, etc. You can just explain that youre trying to sort the problem out via an IVA.