well - it had to happen so no point moaning

[R1chard]

its good knowing im on the track to being debt free, but im finding it hard to change my style of living - the very style that got me into this mess....

i used to buy expensvie designer clothes, - now im having to look around cheapo places and getting "no name" brands - infact id rather have a blank shirt then one with a "cheapo" name splatered over it..

havng to say "no i cant come out tonite im skint"

then its "ill lend you some mate come out gonna be a top nite"

im starting to be able to say "no mate - i cant afford it end off"

getting sick of text messages telling me what im missing.....

also - i was in a supermarket todaqy and picked up a can of lynx - £2.50. i put it back donw and brought a cheap one..

cheap cheap cheap - im starting to feel like del-boy..

even little things like a bacon cob on fridays - thats £10 pound a month . cud be better used elsewhere...

i not complaining - i got myself into this mess...

just hard thats all

[mikebdomain]

I'm not in an IVA but it sounds very much like having three kids who spend all your money for you... [:D]

Good luck though and keep on track, it will be worth it in the end

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Mortgage Broker
Specialising in adverse credit.

[OPTIMIST12]

Hi R!chard -

Yes - it is a shock to the system but it does get a bit easier once you are used to your new budget!! And a lot of the "cheapo" stuff is actually perfectly O.K.!!!

I always think back to what things were like just before I started my IVA - the stress, letters, phone-calls etc. - and it puts things in perspective. And its great to spend money that is actually yours each month (even if its not much!!)rather than forever relying on credit.

Good Luck!!!!

[maxdebt]

Yes it is difficult. I am getting some strange kind of pleasure budgeting! and I feel chuffed as owt if I feel I have got a bargain. I bought a pair of Diesel jeans off eBay last week (second hand) for £20. I have never worn second hand clothes since I was a wee boy but needs must

[jane.l]

I needed some new trousers (I have gained a bit of weight, unfortunately!) so I went to the British Heart Foundation charity shop the other day and got 2 pairs of River Island jeans for £2.75 each and 2 tops for £1.99 each!!

yes, it feels good not to be using credit! and still getting a decent brand of clothes that are not likely to fall apart!

[cb246]

I have to agree. I'm still finding it hard though to remember to take cash to the supermarket with me. For so long I just whipped out a credit card and paid on that. Now I have had to return home a couple of times because I have ended up at the supermarket and realised I haven't bought any money with me. Luckily before getting to the till [:I]

It is hard having to count the pennies (and yes Ebay is great, have bought my kids some great stuff over the last couple of weeks, just haven't told them it's off Ebay[;)]) but is such a relief too not having to write endless cheques out each month robbing one credit card to pay another

[Soulgrowth]

Being in an IVA and only having a bank account where there is no debit card facility has really helped me. Whenever I want to buy anything I have to find a cashpoint and draw the money out first ... that's that first stalling mechanism ... then I look at the cash in my hand and think "gosh" I had to work all day for that money ... I'm going to hang on to it instead!!

Debbie

[jpj]

After 15 months on my IVA i have finally got a debit card...cashiers look at you as though you are an alien when you dont know how to use chip and pin....!!!! i still use cash for most things as it feels more real..and you always question your purchase twice!!
As for Jane...if you are putting on weight, your food budget expenditure is too generous and you need to speak to your IP about lowering it!![:D]