Like you, duracel, and many others, I was bumbling along, trying to "protect" my family from mounting debt. Eventually, as happens all too often, one day it came to a head and I had to 'fess up to my other half.
I was dreading it, but grit my teeth and we sat down for "the" chat.......
Surprise, surprise .... sh ewas doing exactly the same thing with her clutch of credit cards etc !!! We were both, up to that point, alone in the same boat!!
At least now we had one of us on each oar and were, finally, pulling in the same direction! We enetered into interlocking IVA's and haven't looked back since. The relationship, very good before, has got even better, without each of us fighting our own demons alone.
On the creditor contact front, most of mine we OK. I did play a bit of "cat and mouse" with the call centres. One of my biggest creditors (as in I owed them the most) actually phoned me just before the meeting to wish me luck and ask that, if I needed any help or advice, not to hesitate to give them a ring! Yet another surprise !
My opinions are merely that .. opinions based on experience. Always seek professional advice.
IVA Completed 23rd July 2013 .... C.C. 10th January 2014
