What a difference a year makes

[Pap]

Hi
Not really sure this should go here or somewhere else but here goes anyway!

I first started reading this forum 12 months ago. I knew that we had reached the point of no return, lots of debt and reduction in pay really brought things to a head. Made my first post 7th Jan 2009 and finally made the telephone call that started to change our lives on 19 Jan. IVA was approved 20 April so we're about to make our 9th payment tomorrow.

We have had some tough times during that time, unexpected expense etc but we have survived. Hubby gets paid ridiculously early every December and, to be honest, usually by the end of December we'd used all that money, having had a blow out over Christmas and spending without thinking. Going into January in previous years we'd be £6k overdrawn and no money due in until end Jan.

We managed Christmas, albeit scaled down this time, but son didn't notice much difference and was very pleased with his gifts and there was plenty food etc. Yesterday we sat down, logged onto the bank to check things and found that all of hubby's pay was still intact (plus an extra £6!!!) to take us relatively safely into January.

All in all, I guess what I'm trying to say in my usual rambly way, is that if you're just starting to read here and are looking for a solution, desperately thinking no-one else could possibly be in as bad a place as you are right now and there's no way out, please please pick up a phone and contact someone to talk through your options. Don't leave it any longer, you deserve for things to get better now. No IP will be shocked by what you have to say, how much you are in debt and there will be a solution for you out there. I really wish that I hadn't waited to take action and I'm not going to say it will be easy, it will be tough, but there is help, support and advice available to you.

Thanks to everyone here who has helped me through the last 12 months and I wish you all well for the coming year.

Ramble over!

P x

[kallis3]

Excellent post Pap, so glad everything is going ok for you.

Have a brilliant New Year, and keep on posting to let us know what is going on in your life.

[Julie]

Great post Pap and one that so many people will be able to relate to.

Its brilliant to read how far you have come in a year and that the forum has helped you. I don't know how I would have managed without the forum.

Happy New Year to you and your family, lets hope its a good one xx

[Sinking Fast]

A great post PAP. We are nearly 3 days old on this forum, and not even a week into out IVA journey. I would concur with what you say about the level of debt, and an IP's reaction. We have 129k of debt as I write, and we really felt all was lost - EVERYTHING!!
In fact the feeling of embarrassment regarding our debt level was such that I would be awake 2/3am thinking this is it, and selling the Big Issue on street corners in Manchester was a tangible experience heading our way.

Having spoken with 2 companies to date, we now feel we can get a grip of our financial situation, and move forward with our lives. No longer do we feel the need to stick our heads in the sand, and any floaters on the verge of going down the IVA route, who currently do not post I would urge you to have a look at some blogs such as Lesley's, and read posts by Pennyless amongst others - it answered all our basic questions relating to an IVA.
I have not made huge progress being the time of year it is, but intend to contact 2 other IPs including Jones Giles who I believe come highly recommended on this forum.

All the very best for 2010.

[flumpy dog]

aww pap thats a lovely ramble x and so nice to hear happy pap rather than worried pap !!!
wishing you and your family a lovely 2010 hunny and stick around-looking forward to reading more of your ramblings !!!!
luv fd xxx

[MelanieGiles]

That is a brilliant post Pap - so postiive and as I know what a rough time you have had with othert things how lovely it is to hear you so upbeat about where you are right now. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, and rest assured that we are here all the time to provide friendship and support.

[ashb]

A lovely post and very reassuring to others who may be feeling rather nervous about IVA

good luck

[briggadeen]

That is just the sort of post I needed to read tonight, we are approaching our creditors meeting and I was beginning to feel a bit deflated but we are aiming for exactly what you have now. here's hoping.
Best wishes xo

[flow13]

Pap thats great. I remember our first phone call and I think I just managed to whisper on the phone cos I was feeling embarressed. They had to ask me to speak up loads.
And now we dont advertise the fact we are in an IVA. In fact there are only my sisters that know. And also a colleague at work who is in an IVA. So its great that we can both share our woes and joys of money. lol. x

[kallis3]

Hubby did our first phone call!

There's nobody other than my forum friends and my step kids who know we are in an IVA and that's the way I want it to stay.

[tobymoz]

Hi - Just to say I know where you are coming from! Been in my IVA for 12 months and have got my first review next week - bit nervous and will be glad when it's done to be honest.

But like you, I breathed a sigh of relief on January 1st when I realised we had gone through xmas with everything we needed and no further debts. Its hard to describe really but thank god I took that step and sorted out my IVA. Was heavily in debt and not sleeping, and whilst I still worry - its manageable. Tobymoz

[Shining]

I remember feeling nervous at my first review Tobymoz, hoping it goes smoothly for you. I'm coming up 2 my second anytime soon.

[kallis3]

It's a great feeling isn't it Toby?

We felt nervous before our first review, but got through it ok, as I am sure you will.

Our second one is coming up soon as well.