www.iva.co.uk

Hello everyone,
Although I registered in September last year, I've not posted before - done plenty of lurking though! I really wanted to thank everyone for all their posts I've read over the last few months. More than anything it has made me realise that I am not alone and there are all too many people out there in similar situations to ours.

A bit of background. Between us me and my better half had racked up £100K+ credit card debts over the years, mostly through a vicious circle of borrowing credit to live on, then bills going up so borrow more to pay them, etc etc. We've wasted my husband's redundancy payment trying to keep afloat. We tried re-mortgaging a couple of years ago, which didn't really help - the lowest time of my life as this process coincided with my dear Mum dying quite suddenly. This was the bottom of the pit for me - I was already having horrible panicky episodes and veering between hysterics and depression because of our financial situation, and as well as being my perfect Mum, she was the one person in the world we could confide in.

So we muddled on for another 18 months or so - me on prozac and slowly getting stronger, bills still mounting up. Then one day last summer I called up my husband and asked him to meet me at lunchtime. I said I couldn't cope with how we were going any more. I felt so guilty, as I've always handled the banking, paying bills etc for us both, and obviously made a right hash of it. He felt guilty for letting me struggle on alone (as he saw it - I didn't).

So that day I came back to the office and called CCCS. For a couple of months we went through all the telephone appointments, dragged out all the paperwork, and worked hard to pull everything together. Then on 16th December our proposal was agreed! We wanted to celebrate, but didn't wholly feel it was appropriate to start popping champagne corks (celebrating our failings??), but the relief is absolutely indescribable.

I know we have a long way to go. But we are actually enjoying living on a tight budget - I've become queen of the bargain hunt with the food shopping, and we have adopted the spirit of The Good Life - I'm sure the novelty will wear off in time, but at the moment, relief has completely washed over all the bad emotions. My mum's guiding spirit has kept me going and got me through to this stage, and I'm sure will keep me positive long after the IVA is complete.

Sorry for my long rambling post. But I wanted to thank everyone on here for posting their stories and keeping me going. Good luck to everyone.

Hello and welcome along.

Rather than viewing yourselves as failures you should regard yourselves as successes, both for having the courage to admit the inevitable and for also being strong enough to take positive action about it. Further, if just one person that looks on here, like you did, sees this and because of your post finds the courage to pick up the phone and make that all important first call to a professional to get help then you have done people you will probably never meet a massive service in their own quest for resolution.

An inspiring post for all and my advice to you is to treat yourself just a little if you can, you certainly deserve it in my book.

Regards.

Welcome to the forum Jetson.

I totally agree with what Size5 has said. That is an inspiring post, and I am so glad that you are so positive now and looking forward to a debt free future.

Anyone reading this post who is not sure, should take heart from what you have said and know that there is a way forward.

That is a lovely story, and it is so nice to see you now wanting to share your experience with other forum members.

And also nice to see CCCS getting some positive PR for a change!

Hi there - so sorry to hear about your Mum. I'm sure she is guiding you and will see you through your IVA.

The bargain hunting hasn't worn out for me , 2 years on...I discovered shops I wouldn't have dreamt of going in before.I get a buzz from finding something nice and cheap now. I bought a cardigan from Peacocks a few weeks ago for £12 and I've lsot count of the people who've admired it [:)]

Keep posting, others will learn from your experience.

xx

Hi,

It is reading articles like yours that have helped me take the decision to do something about my debt rather than chasing as I have for a period now, thank you for having the courage to speak out and help other people understand that were not really that unique in racking up debt in one way or another

Regards

Lilden

Thank you everyone for your replies. And Lilden - all the best to you. Stay strong and you will get through it. It is a sad state that there are so many in a similar situation, but supportive to know that you are not alone.

Good luck to everyone.
CJ

I spoke to Melanie recently just before going to Frenchay Hospital for brain surgery. She helped me make sense of the mess I was in and advised me on the way forward. Being disabled has been a bit of a bugbear but with Melanie's and her teams help I am now sure that I will come out at the other end of this in a positive way. I have some recovering to do, physically, but will get cracking on the steps to my brighter future as soon as I am able. Isn't it such a help to know that none of us are alone in this?

Hi bumps, so glad that you have managed to come through your brain surgery ok, and I do hope that you make a full recovery.

Glad to hear that Melanie has been able to help you as well.

We are always here for support and advice anytime you like.

Hope you manage to get your life back on track.

Cant believe you were lurking since september. If there are any more peeping toms out there come out come out wherever you are,we dont bite and you will feel a whole lot better about things.
The relief that can be achieved by just posting on here what your situation is cannot be underestimated.
Failures we are not,for we are here to do something about our situations and debts.
Welcome one and all!!

Well said Plasticdaft!

Well done you!! I must say since posting on here today I feel more confident in the fact I can handle what life throws at me and will confront my debts head on no matter how long it takes me to pay off. You're story is a success and thanks for posting it x

Sorry to bump up my own thread, but I just returned here to ask a quick question and thought I'd look up what I'd said before. Blimey I was in a mess!!

We are now fast approaching the end of our 3rd year - half way there (in the words of Bon Jovi!!!!) and despite having the occasional wobble, I'm sure we will survive. Some wobbles are bigger than others, but I eventually get over them and regain prespective.

All the best to everyone. We live in a miserable world at the moment, but stay as strong as you can.

B/W
Jetson

Nice to see you Jetson and glad that everything is going ok now. Let's hope that continues.

A great and inspiring story for others, I was in exactly the same boat and was over my head to the tune of well over £100K+ and was battling with the bank to prevent them unnecessarily bankrupting my business it was a really tough time. We too had to sit down and unpick it all, it was so hard, especialy realising just how much trouble we were in I really sympathise with you. You should be proud of yourselves its a big step to take and you are now back in control. We finished our IVA only 6 weeks ago, have a read of my last few posts hopefully they will help you keep your chin up. Above all be positive, I'm sure your mum is looking after you from afar.

Good luck on your journey