Agreed Foggy! I was one of that generation where actual money seems to hold no value, after all it just number on a screen right? Or so i believed!
One of the biggest lessons i learnt was becuase for the first 2 years of my IVA i had an RBS key account i only had a 'cash card', so i had to plan ahead and budget, only getting out the casdh i needed which then stopped me from buyinh things i didnt need, plus it was a right hasstle having to go back to a RBS ATM to get more cash. I think doing this for two years gave me a real sense of the value of money!
IVA completion and certificate received 08/10/2012!!!
Amazing how that journey down the IVA avenue makes you realise that stuff you think you want you perhaps don't need and it's the realisation that you can live without it too. I can't say that i have enjoyed the past 4 years but what it has taught me is this, if i don't need it then i don't have it, if i find i do then i save for it and if it is still there when i have the money it was meant to be. I have discovered the joys of budgeting and also browsing for bargains and the smile on my face when i find one is there for all to see too.
Om shanti, namesté, good luck to all who are embarking on the IVA journey, it isn't always an easy one but the outcome is the best.
IVA COMPLETED August 2012, received Completion certificate 18.4.13.
font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:<hr height="1" noshade>Originally posted by artemischild
Agreed Foggy! I was one of that generation where actual money seems to hold no value, after all it just number on a screen right? Or so i believed!
One of the biggest lessons i learnt was becuase for the first 2 years of my IVA i had an RBS key account i only had a 'cash card', so i had to plan ahead and budget, only getting out the casdh i needed which then stopped me from buyinh things i didnt need, plus it was a right hasstle having to go back to a RBS ATM to get more cash. I think doing this for two years gave me a real sense of the value of money!
This is why I tend to draw out my allowances in cash and hand that over when required. Even a debit card in the shops is to far removed from financial reality. Also, I don't carry much around with me, expect for planned spending, so can't impulse buy.
My opinions are merely that .. opinions based on experience. Always seek professional advice.
IVA Completed 23rd July 2013 .... C.C. 10th January 2014
I still use my debit card, never impulse buy and always have an idea in my head about what I'm spending before I spend it and input it onto my spreadsheet to make sure I'm right in my calculations. I'm more tempted to spend cash rather than on debit card, weird how different it is for different people.
"It is never too late to be what you might have been"
Fiona
We normally use cash for things like food shopping and I use the debit card for internet purchases and when I go Christmas shopping.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
What a nice bunch of messages, from realising the important things in life (family/people) to adapting to life in the IVA.
Sure there are hard times, especially when things break and need repairing or replacing and when you have to so no to kids. But even they learn from the experience and I am fortunate that mine seem to understand that "no" doesnt mean never (well maybe some times) but how do we save up and turn "no" into "yes". Classic example - oldest wanted (needed) a computer upgrade last year, couldnt even afford a half decent 2nd hand one, he asked around school and discovered one of his friends built them as a hobby and was considering selling his. They agreed a price (£400) for quite a good spec machine, we waited until after Xmas, he got about £150 from family to put to his savings and we scraped together another £150 by end Feb to buy it, along with a new screen as he previously had a laptop, oh and a mouse and a keyboard, lol.
Guess what youngest wants this "Xmas" (or Feb!!), similar plan in place but havent got a donor yet.
In the pre-IVA days they knew that the winging and moaning, to put you on the guilt trip (cos all their friends have one) would work eventually but now that isnt an option and they dont try, we actually have some reasonable conversations on how to work round the problem - something I didnt anticipate and a pleasant surprise.
Hopefully this experience will demonstrate the value of money and budgeting to our young people so they wont fall into the trap we did.
I have been lucky enough to have worked since age 16 and have always been relatively well paid, so I fitted into societies bracket of "if you want it - have it and have it now" - and yes, what did that do to Xmas (and birthdays), as everybody has what they want because they just go out and buy it through the year.
I guess we can all still remember the times when we were kids (I'm 40 something, so harder for some) when Xmas was so exiting because you may not get another pressie until birthday or next Xmas - trip dowm memory lane over, back to reality lol.
I am looking forward to knowning this year that everything i have spent on Xmas is my own money! Nothing on credit cards etc. I'm just budgeting now for my food shopping when i get paid on the 23rd Dec and how it will last me through till end of Jan.
My family don't know about the IVA ( my other half does and he has been great with it all) but trying to explain to my parents that i am not spending a lot this year has been difficult. There is the expectation that each member of my family requires at least 2 presents! But i know a few of them will be upset at only getting 1 and a token thought at that!
But surely its the thought that counts!
I've already bought my turkey and trimmings so its only fresh stuff i need.
These last 8 months have been such an eye opener for budgeting...and all the penny pinching is paying off.
Susie
x
IVA Accepted 31st March 2011.
IVA Ends 31st March 2016.
My Christmas presents are mostly funded by the vouchers I earn from online surveys. That way people get a reasonable sum to spend and it's cost me nothing but time.
My parents don't know about the IVA but thankfully hubby and myself both have birthdays in December and they give us cash - I give it back to them for Christmas!!!!
There's nothing else they want or need.
Capon is ordered from the butcher, bread from the bakery and again, as parents stay with us over Christmas they always give us money towards their food so that pays for the meat and some of the other shopping.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I can hardly believe that I have nearly finished my christmas shopping without the use of a credit card. Last year it was all on the cards!! I can remember looking at my family on christmas day thinking that this cannot go on and now here I am in a much better place x
This year I am going to York with my sister and neice to do the main present shop. And what a change from my previous 6 years, I now have the funds to go and buy my presents without worry and to top this off we will be travelling in my newer car and not the old banger I was driving before. All down to the successful completion of my IVA earlier this year. I never dreamt of such a fresh start on the financial side of my life, and thought I would be paying back credit well into my pension years, and still owing it all when I pop my clogs. I am living proof that people can beat their debts and want to encourage everyone that there definately is a life post IVA..... just hang on in there, I know it's not easy but will be well worth it. Good luck to those just starting out on their journey and well done to those who are well on their way.
what a fanatastic post kaykay. I cant wait to the days of being post iva. But in fairness, christmas is bought and wrapped and all paid for by our hard earned money. Its been hard and a challenge and it will result in it being bread and water for the rest of the month but we've done it once more xx
but we've done it once more xx
