Almost there with plucking up the courage

[mike.s]

Thanks so, so much guys, really on cloud 9 at the moment. Haven't felt this good for such a long, long time, I really feel like I can finally move on and give my family their dad and husband back with a fresh new start. Going to chill out tonight with a couple of beers, but not too many as I've an early start on the market tomorrow! Actually looking forward to getting up tomorrow and facing the day with a big, big smile!
Andy you are so right, and if there is anyone out there in a bad place right now, scared, desperate, don't know which way to turn, then please post on the forum, pick up the phone, share your problem. There will be a solution for you and things will get better if you speak to someone and get help, but don't put it off. I cannot praise Melanie and her team enough, they have picked me up and turned my life around, the help, advice and support I have received from them has finally got my life back on track. Once again, I feel like, a man, a husband and a dad and I feel so positive about my life again. This forum has been an absolute lifeline to me and I cannot thank you all enough, I am truly a very, very happy man tonight and I wouldn't be in this positive position without all your kind help and support. If anyone is sitting there, desperate, alone, about to face another sleepless night, then please don't. If you haven't posted b4 then do so now, you will get some amazing, advice, help and support from everyone on this forum. We have all been there and know what you are going through so don't sit there and suffer the nighmare alone, there will be a solution for you, and speaking to someone is not as scary as you think! Obviously for me picking up the phone was never a problem and never bothered me one bit, that was the easy bit and... Yeah right!! I'm actually now looking forward to the phone ringing and answering it myself, yes I am in!!
Thanks guys
Best wishes to all
Mike

[lily]

Hi Mike

I am so pleased for you, its so encouraging for new members who are in the early dark days. I remember and was wondering how you are. I am so very pleased.

Good luck, you deserve to be free, you are such a lovely Dad and hubby. I am sure that you couldnt see this in the early days.

Love and best wishes to all of you.

[MelanieGiles]

I am reading this and am actually feeling quite choked. Mike's settlement was not an IVA or a DMP but a sensible informal settlement with a number of creditors following the sale of his home.

I have met Mike and can truly say he is an exceptional guy, who is clearly a real hardworking family man, with financial difficulties which arose through no fault of his own. There have been periods of despair over the last few months, and I have to pay tribute to my colleagues who have worked tirelessly to effect this rather unusual but satisfactory settlement over the last few months, thus avoiding the high cost involved with an IVA.

We wish Mike the very best of luck into the future, and hope that he will stay in touch with all of his forum friends. Your posts have been inspirational Mike!

[lily]

Fantastic news, really pleased for you and your family, was wondering how you were.

Good luck for the new debt free future.

[Soulgrowth]

How strange Mike ... I was just thinking of you a few days ago and wondering how you were getting on ... and what brilliant news! [:)]

I wish you and your family all the very best for the future and hope that you will remain in touch with the Forum and inspire others along their own 'journey'

With best wishes

Debbie

[mike.s]

Thanks Lily, how are things with you? Hope you are well and everything is ok in your life, thank you for all your help and support over the last few months, I don't know where I would be without your kind words of support, thank you for being there!
Thank you Melanie from the bottom of my heart! You have a wonderful team and you should be proud of them! Hywel is a great guy and I feel on the many occassions we have spoke I can now think of him as a friend more than someone who has helped me through a very rough time!
I will never forget the first time I posted on this forum, in tears, in debt, alone, tired, desperate and without a clue which way to turn.
Tonight I can sit here a happy, positive new person with a second chance on life, a chance I will grab with both hands!
I will definately keep in touch, and keep posting, you wont get rid of me that easily!
(Melanie a box of Jaffa Cakes or two will be on their way to you and the team next week)
Best wishes
Mike

[mike.s]

Ahh thanks Debbie and thank you for being there over the last few months! Feeling really, really good! I will definately keep in touch.
Thanks again
Mike

[MelanieGiles]

I was hoping it was worth a couple of boxes of my favourite JC's!

It is incredible that this thread has received 7777 views over the last few months. This must be a record, Andy?

[emma_t]

Mike

I am still smiling for you, I really remember you from the beginning as it was a similar time to me and always remember you putting a good luck post on the forum the day before my creditors meeting.

Couldn't be happier for you and your family[:)]

hope all is well on the market...

[mike.s]

Thanks Emma,
I remember putting the good luck post on and everyone adding their words of support and wishing you luck. That is the great thing about this forum, everyone being there for each other, supporting each other with kind words and a shoulder to cry on just when you need it. It really has been a lifeline to me and I hope others, and has completely turned my life around! How are things going Emma? hope everything's good with you!
Best wishes
Mike

[emma_t]

Couldn't be better mike, thanks for asking.

I am soon to make payment number 6 of 60 and the time has flown by to be honest, I am so happy right now as I feel I have a chance to get things straight again.
Before my iva I was working lots of hours in the week and then an extra 23/24 hours at weekend - so basicaly working all he time!! I lost the part time job suddenly and that was the reason for me urgently needing help, but it has been a blessing in disguise as I think the part time job was only just keeping me afloat and putting off the inevitable really.

At least, thanks to everyone on the forum and Melanie, I have my life back and if the next 54 paymens go to plan I will be on cloud nine[:D]

Enjoy your beers tonight and so much luck and best wishes to you and your family for the future x

[Lisa2009]

Wow mike brilliant news and what a journey you have been on.
I really hope you will enjoy your debt free life just as much as we are.

[clareyfarey]

Mike,

I know the last post was a long long time ago, but I hope you are still around and posting on here!

I am new to the forum, and reading through your journey makes me wish even more that I knew about this place 3 years ago when I started my IVA.

I have read through the posts (all 13 pages of them!!!) and I can honestly say my heart broke for you when I read the first few pages. But now, I am filled with happiness, and my faith in human kindness is restored because of all the positivity of all these people who offer their time and support to those who need it.

Financial problems hit all kinds of people at all different times......it's only the brave ones of us who actually pick up the phone to try and sort them out.

It would be great to hear how you are doing now, and what kind of difference Melanie and her team have been able to make to your lives.

From your first posts, you know more than anyone how awful the situation feels, and your experience and advice to those who find them selves in that position is priceless.

You sounded to me like a man with integrity, wanting to the right things for your family, and I applaud your courage in doing what you have done.

I sincerely hope that you have found your way, and that life is looking rosier for you now.

And to all of you fab people who post on here, and maintain the site, thank you again. I think this story is testament to the work you do, and just goes to show how important your support is.

Take care

xcx

[MelanieGiles]

Michael is one of the nicest men I think I have ever met, and I do hope that he still occasionally looks on on the forum, and that his business is still doing well.

[mike.s]

Hi guys,
Just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you clareyfarey for your kind words they mean alot to me, and thank you Melanie, without you and your team (how is everyone?) I don't know where I would be! Well what a year it has been, still don't know where the time has gone though it seems to have flown by, and I am pleased to say I am not the man I was this time last year. Things have gone amazingly well since Melanie and her team helped me sort out my debt problems. Business is going very, very well and has gone from strength to strength. My wife has a found a great job which she is really enjoying and this is the happiest I have been for a very long time. It is such a wonderful feeling to see presents under the tree for my children which have been paid for with our own hard earned money, not a bit of plastic in sight, we've even got a holiday booked for next year, again a great feeling knowing we have paid for it ourselves and not used those dreaded credit cards. Business is growing and the future ahead looks very bright, a big difference to that long dark tunnel! It's also very nice not to worry about letters coming through the post box and a great feeling being able to answer the phone, rather than going into a panic when it rings, that sinking, stomach churning feeling is horrible. So if anyone is sitting out there with a mountain of debt and feeling at rock bottom thinking there is no way out, let me tell you that there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel and things can, and will be sorted for you. Don't sit there worrying, take the step and seek help, speak to Melanie and her team and there will be a solutuion for you! Thanks again to everyone on this wonderful forum for all your help and support, I definately would not have got through it without you being there when I needed you the most.
Many, many thanks to you, have a great Christmas and a debt free New Year!
Very best wishes
Mike