To IVA……and beyond!

Goodness, where to start.

 Where are we? Had a relapse early December. Went into Woolies closing down sale, and it was such a reminder of how the shop was the last few weeks I felt a physical pain and had to leave the shop. That caught me completely unawares, wasn’t expecting that!

I am now officially BR! How different do I feel? Well the appointment itself was okay, and having Paul from Reviva there was wonderful, really helped For a couple of days after I felt pretty low, glad I chose to get it out of the way before the New Year. Then when the phone calls came through it was rather nice to say, in no uncertain terms ‘up yours!’

The day after the BR I got home to find a letter from Marstons who had visited my home address. Now this is a business debt, and less than a lot of them, but the company – not necessarily Marstons, but the supplier – hade been less than helpful. They were one of the few that helped my decision towards IVA and ultimately BR as they refused a monthly payment offer.  Another reason why I was glad the BR was though. Oh and MBNA had got as far as threatening to take out a possession order.

We’re also having a problem with Lloyds. We didn’t have enough money to pay our loans – back in August – the account was nil balance, not overdrawn. Anyhow they took the loans anyway and have been  charging us for an ovedraft ever since. Our account is now overdrawn by £850, but we haven’t spent a penny. Can’t close the acount, can’t transfer money, it’s just accrueing more interest day by day. Will let the OR sort that one out!

I still have the shop lease. FGS,  it’s not rocket science,  either they release me from it or the OR has it. The latest is they will release me from it if I pay costs! Oh that would be logical, it’ll either get added onto the BR, or the OR will not be happy with me for incurring a debt as soon as I go into BR. Plus of course it means the Landlady hasn’t been able to re-lease for nigh on 3 months now. Mind you, only a certain amount of guilt there. If they had been more sympathetic to the current climate I might still have the shop.

Finances are actually okay atm. Things will change when the WFTC goes down in April, so will have to make sure we replace broken windows etc before then!

DH had a bit of a bargain. Our local MFI was closing and DS1 bought 2 settees for  £1 each – seriously! – for the garage for him and his mates. DH went to collect them with him and ended up taking up some laminated flooring from a display kitchen and the underlay for …..wait for it…… drumroll…. £10!!! So after having our ‘temporary’ cheap stick on tiles in the kitchen for 12 years, we are finally getting a new floor for the sum total of £10. Now that’s a result!

And coming to the end of the year the one thing that stands out is the near-total support I have had from family, friends and complete strangers. I feel truly blessed

Hi strangers! I have been a naughty blogger and IVA-er. On the day we shut the shop Paul from Reviva told me to take time for myself – Ha! Ha! Very funny. Excuse me while I hold my sides in case they split. I swear I am busier now than when I had the shop. Anyhow, on the money front.

• We’re about to pay DH’s second IVA contribution. If I am honest I don’t know if we’ve a hope in hell of paying it for 5 or 6 years. On  a joint income we offered £500. DH’s sole IVA is costing us £400 and I’m only working part-time atm. But we’ll do our best, that’s all we can do.
• I won the survivor of the month blog award for last month. It really was a tough month. I’m not a quitter and DH isn’t argumentative, but we managed both in buckets in October. I plan to spoil myself with the vouchers.
• Phone’s very quiet. Did I really say that out loud?
• As I mentioned last time we had decided to cancel Sky. What a hassle that turned out to be. We were 2 weeks late paying the bill so Sky disconnected the extras. I phoned and asked to pay the 2 weeks we owed and to cancel the account. Of course not, nothing tht simple. We had to pay the £54 from last month, even though it was turned off for a week. Then when the next payment was due we should pay another £54 and at the same time give a months notice. £108 to stop it – seriously. Luckily I have a smart DH. We paid the £54 and on the same day reverted to the basic £17 package, which can be done instantly. Now we are in credit as we paid £54 so won’t owe anything next payment. Gotta love that man!
• Still not sorted out Paypal, so they still have £150 of my money. Grrrr.
•  I have a job! Okay, don’t get excited, it’s only part-time (20 hours a week) and maternity cover, so only temporary. But still, it is till next July and is regular and stressfree!
• Paul is visiting Friday to go through the paperwork for the BR. Not so looking forward to that.
• DH has Christmas week off this year – first time in 5 years and my jobs term time only – so yay to that
• Both the boiler and DH’s exhaust went on Sunday. Not so long ago those repairs would have gone straight onto the cards. But because we have our budgets each month now, we had saved enough in the ‘car repairs’ and the ‘household emergencies’ envelopes over the past few month to pay for both. Well, sort of. DH is going to do the repairs because paying for them to be done is going to be a few years down the line!

And that’s where we are. Despite everything I’m not feeling anywhere near as bad as I did a few weeks ago. Although fully expecting a relapse as D-Day draws near. But I am determined to have a fab Christmas. Between what we bought in France, Boots points and M & S Vouchers I have bought nearly all the Christmas presents. They are wrapped up, cards are written and on the 1st December decorations will be up!

Had a fright this morning. Our computer ‘lost’ 100′s and 100′s of photographs. Every folder was empty. I was gutted – felt sick – we’ve not printed them out. Restarted the computer…….and there they were! So all being copied this morning to an old spare hard drive. My DH has like an Aladdins cave in his garage. Whatever I need he can find in there! You see, priorities. My heritage is far more important than a stroppy individual hassling me for money.

 Email from Reviva – court date booked – gulp.

Lloyds TSB Credit Card – I spoke to a human bean yesterday! At last. Have blocked all calls for 2 weeks. And logged that I’m having to go bankrupt. So, hopefully a bit of p & q from them.

The mortgage company have agreed much reduced payments for the next 3 months and then to go back up and to discuss how to clear the arrears. Although charges were a bit excessive. First £35 for bounced payment. Fair enough. Well, not fair enough, goes back to the arguement that there’s no way it costs £35 for an item to be returned. But that’s a whole different issue! So, phone and explain the situation. They offer to send out an I & E. Yes please, then charge £35. Then within a week we get another £35. I phoned and had a moan. I mean really. They offer to send the I & E on the Thursday. I receive it on the Saturday. Get it back in the post on Monday, and they slap the charge on Tuesday. Bit too free and easy with the charges methinks. So, thumbs up for Birmingham Midshires for agreeing reduced payments, and thumbs down for the excessive charges.

Our bank account has been fun. They were on DH’s IVA proposal. Although we’ve moved most things to our Cashminder accounts, there’s a couple of odd payments that we didn’t catch in time. So half an hour has been spent in the bank while they make various phone calls to allow us access to our money!

Have been budgeting in earnest recently. I have about 20 baggies where I put each allowance in and then we live off of them. It’s taking a bit of getting used to, but so far, so good.

 So that’s where I am. Good days and bad days. Todays a good day – after the photo scare - and I plan to spend the afternoon watching the footy on Sky. Will be the last chance as Sky’s being cancelled on Monday. Think about it. We pay £55.00 a month for Sky; Sky Plus; and Sky Sports. That’s over £600 a year. Which could fund a week away. I shall miss UK Living; Sky 1 and Hallmark channel, but not enough to warrant £600 a year.

Okay, 2 things.

1. Where am I? Well the phone has gone quiet. Maybe I’ve been cut off?…..Nope, just quiet, so that’s nice. We’re not much further on. Paul from Reviva phoned today and I said I’d like to go to the courts before Christmas. New Year, new start and all that, and he said that was okay. He is also going to contact the letting agents again, seeing as they don’t want to talk to him, and I don’t want to talk to them! And that’s it. I know it doesn’t sound much, let’s not complain hey!

2. I wanted to mention a blog by Julia – The Power of Positive Thinking. It really is worth a read. Today especially struck a chord for me -  gratitude. Last night I found a bracelet that I had given up ever seeing again. It’s a troll bracelet, but I also have my first wedding rings and my grans wedding ring on it. So the sentimental value is huge. I was so pleased to find it I woke up this morning the most ‘up’ I’ve felt for days. Then Julia’s blog triggered something. I scrapbook for a hobby. And about 18 months ago I created an album called Choosing Joy. It’s all positive thoughts; words; and 100 things to be grateful for. And it did remind me of just how much I am grateful for. So I’m going to copy Julia today with a quote and a few things that I am very grateful for.

“To choose Joy in our lives we have to Believe in Ourselves”

So, in no particular order, the First 10 of 100 things I am grateful for:

Meeting MIL and developing a strong relationship with her before she passed away;

singing a duet on stage; 

acting in pantomines;

learning from mistakes I have made;

people who surprise you;

 gaining my NNEB;

Tainted Love by Soft Cell;

Christmas Carols;

being loved;

prayer

Two weeks since I posted. My emotions have been all over the place, so blogging hasn’t been top of things to do.

 So, let’s start with the positive….

My dad and step-mum came up yesterday for the day. Said I looked the most relaxed they’ve seen me in a long time. Also brought 8 bags of shopping for us, and 2 pairs of boots for me. And even though it’s my dad, I was embarassed, but the boots are lovely! My house is the tidiest it’s been in a long time. and the ironing pile has nearly gone. I’ve had friends and family phoning, e-mailing, texting and visiting. Nothing like a crisis to pull people together! Got my first teaching assignment back and passed L4. Only one out of 14 of us that didn’t get a refer, so rather chuffed with that. And I’ve just finished a 2 day training course for me to be a Care Ambassador.

But life is still difficult. DH and I have had some God-Almighty rows, and we just don’t. To coin a phrase, he’s so laid back he could fall over. And it’s strange. Why are we arguing now that the shop has gone? I don’t get it. When I’m low I think about the 200k we invested and lost and I have a bad day, and I can’t see that feeling going away any time soon.

MBNA have been great. Just need to phone them when I get the BR date.

Barclays are still being as helpful as ever – yes, that was sarcasm.

Lloyds have now offered a 0.4% repayment scheme. Well, it’s a shame they didn’t offer that 6 months ago when I wrote to them. Or 3 months ago they could have accepted the IVA.

And now we’re getting behind on the mortgage so I’m having to field those calls.

Paypal – can you believe still haven’t sorted my account out.

And now the shop. The letting agents phoned and asked how “they could help me”. I had to bite my tongue on that one. And let’s not kid ourselves here, it’s not me they’re bothered about, but the empty unit. Having to reply to the fashion reps isn’t easy either. I just feel such a failure.

So, that’s where I am. I haven’t actually worked out how I am better off without the shop at the moment. Nothing has got any easier, except for the daily travelling.

I know I have tried to keep my personal life separate from the financial mess on this blog on the whole. However, as yesterday was such an important day I’m breaking with tradition!

Well yesterday was a mixed bag. I had to give the keys of the shop over to a very nice man named Paul. I feel emotional, yet numb. Strange combination.

And yet my little bruv phoned to check up on me. At the shop one of the part-timers popped into work to wish me well. Paul and his colleague were wonderful. It’s a truly horrible situation to find oneself in, but when such supportive and approachable people are working for you, it does take the edge off. So if BR is the way forward for you, so far I would definately recommend Reviva UK

I got back from the shop and found a flower delivery from M & S. My Saturday girl of 3 years sent them as a thank-you. Also the postman had delivered a ‘Thinking of You’ card from a friend. And I had a lovely email from a IVA-er More to Life, who has some understanding of what we’re going through atm.

Like I say – a mixed bag of emotions. But as someone said to me last week ‘Life is a journey, not a destination’. How profound – didn’t know Aerosmith had it in them!

So yesterday was the first day of the rest of my life. I came home from the shop needing to be kept busy. So I decided to swap all the furniture in the den and the study. Seemed like a good idea. Until all the units are emptied. Then in trying to move the floor to ceiling units realised they are stuck because the ceiling has dropped. I cannot begin to describe the mess that is my downstairs! DS3 comes home, looks around and says “Oh my God mum, dad is going to flip. Do you do these things just to p*** him off!”

Had a chat on msn with a DIL2b. Went to bed at 11.30pm and worked till 1am on my next assignment for the teaching course. Not sure how long this new found energy is going to last, but it is fun!

And that’s the private stuff done, normal blogging will resume next time.

I’m back. Struggling atm, but here. So, where am I?

MBNA have been on the phone commisserating that that the IVA was refused. And advising me that they voted for the proposal. I didn’t argue, but I have seen the Chairmans Report and know that’s not exactly true. So now – bearing in mind we contacted them at the beginning of the year remember? – they’ve offered to let me pay £20 a month and will stop all interest and late charges.  Bit like the Landlady. I asked last year, and agin this to reduce my rental and they finally say yes a few weeks ago, but I can backdate it. Had they said that months ago, I could have changed my SO back then and maybe have paid a few more invoices, and given the bank a lot less in charges.

 The expression ‘Better late than never’ comes to mind. Except, not, in this case.

 DH now has a Co-op a/c too. His wages will go in and the mortgage and IVA will come out. Need to move all the other DD’s to my Co-op a/c

Paypal still not sorted my Top-Up card out. Excuse the swearing, but FFS it’s not rocket science. All they have to do is take back out the £300 they put in in the first place. But no, they’ve taken back £600!! So now I’ve got a negative balance of £150, and they want ME to prove to THEM what the problem is. Seriously think it’s time to involve the financial ombudsman.

Barclays? Well they want all the arrears now that the IVA has been rejected and the next payment, totalling over £700. Yeah, well, you were one of the 2 companies that rejected the IVA so not feeling too guilty about that one. Especially when it was one of their customer services people that scared me so much that he pushed me towards the IVA in the first place. Told her that. Also told her to check the tape of the conversation if she wanted.

Shop went into Clearance last week. It’s hard. Putting on a smile and knowing in less than a few days 4 years hard work and 200k will disappear in an instant. I’ve told a few regulars and they’ve been lovely. One little girl – who has modelled for us in the past – came in and put 11 pence in my mums hands “to help you stay” Bless.

 GTG those bloody tears are back.

Finding it hard to do anything atm. I’ve let 3 friends down at the last minute. Just have no desire to go out to see anybody. It’s too much effort. I suppose it’s a spot of depression? I get the blues occasionally, don’t we all, but usually pick myself up quite quickly. Cup half full normally. But right now, it’s hard. There’s things I should be doing – things I need to be doing – but I just can’t. I would sit in my pj’s all day if I could in front of the telly. I’m not even on the net as much. House is a mess. Popped on a site yesterday that I’ve been a member of for 5 years, and it had been 8 days since I last visited.  I do have a part-time job which makes me have to go out. Just as well I suppose. Then there’s the kids. This week I’ve had to see the Play Therapist for DD; DS3 decided to try and go down a slide on his skateboard. Funnily enough after the head bump and blood he decided it wasn’t such a good idea. Oh, he’s 13, not 3! The oldest had to go to minor injuries as he had a cold – turned to asthma – turned to chest infection. Do they not understand I just want to do nothing. chance would be a fine thing.

Not going to talk about finances. Next time. Think I’ve depressed any readers enough!

It’s been a week, and what a week it was.

We’ve had heart to hearts with just about everybody bar the milkman. Okay, not that bad, but my mum;  my step-mum; my bruv; and each other. We learnt that DH could have an IVA on his own. We also learnt that the landlady had agreed to reduce the rent. Sounds good. Until you realise on paper we’d have to pay a further £400 nearly into the IVA as it looks like we’d be making a profit. This scared me beyond belief. What if the shop doesn’t hit those targets, there’s no way we’d be able to cover the extra IVA figure. I have no problem handing it over if I get it, but if I don’t – well, our food allowance would be £50 a week to cover the difference.

I’ve since had a letter from the landlady’s agent stating the conditions of the rent reduction. Some I have no problem with. Confidentiality? Absolutely. Paying on time? Fair enough. But it’s only for 6 months at which time they want a definate proposal how I’m going to deal with the rent arrears. If I could pay the rent arrears, would I really be looking at asking for a rent reduction?!

 We’ve also had a CCJ raised against us. While we were protected by the Interim Order. Now I know we didn’t receive the papers for 2 reasons. One because DH was named and I’m a sole trader. And secondly, we had the Interim Order! So the court agrees it shouldn’t have been raised, but I have to go back to the creditors themselves and ask them to lift it, or apply to the courts and do it that way. Why is nothing simple.

I’ve also been checking the law as I’ve been a school governor for 8 years and I was worried bankruptcy would affect that. Apparently if I get a BRO then it would, but tbh I’d be surprised if I did. I’ve worked my socks off, not taken credit out constantly, and invested the last of my own money in the business only this year. So fingers crossed that’s one less thing.

Paypal still blocked. Time to get stroppy methinks. Need to open a co-op account for DH as we’ve decided it would be handy to have his wages go in, and the mortgage and IVA payment go out. Those are the 2 biggest expenditures,  so will be good to know they’re not affected by anything.

So, back to that decision? DH is going to enter an IVA and I’m going to declare myself BR. And you know what is scarey? I’ve mentioned it to 3 people – a friend; a work colleague; and the headteacher. And they all know someone who’s in the same boat. And yet the powers that be seem to think that throwing $700 billion at bad debts will sort out the problem. I thought I’d sleep better. I’m not. I thought my stomach would settle. It hasn’t. Here’s hoping I come out the other end in one piece.

Checked bank Friday morning. Still £300 too much in it. Checked Paypal PPC, still £300 to much in it. Plus the latter has been blocked until they sort it out, so I can’t even access the £150 that’s mine! Because of course I have so much spare money that not having it isn’t a problem. FFS.

Went to the Frugal Friends meeting last night. I thought it would be good to go so DH could meet Melanie. So far he’s heard everything third hand and if we do get accepted and start the IVA it’ll be a 6 year relationship so thought it important he meets her Then I found out Paul was also going, and he’s the BR fellow I was chatting to during the week. So by now I think we’ve all met and chatted to each other! The atmosphere was very friendly. We were both anxious, worrying it was going to be really stuffy and we’d end up sitting in a corner watching the clock. Nothing like that though. Paul had donated a bottle of champagne and ice-bucket for a raffle. Congrats Aguise And we all came away with a Jack Daniels hip flask, which will house Pernod or Baileys in my case. There was a lovely buffet, and the only downside was we were first to leave because DH had to be up at 5am for work.

So, after discussing our case with both Melanie and Paul, this is where we are. The 14 days adjournment is up Tuesday.

1. We could both be accepted onto the IVA.

2. We then have to decide if that really is the right option.

3. If we go with it I am still tied into the lease for another 7 years, and in this current climate, is that really wise?

4. If it isn’t then my choice is simple – BR and walk away from the business. Accept A LOT of losses, but at least prevent any more.

5. DH – well we could look at a DMP, but the generally consensus is that really wouldn’t be a long term solution. Or, he could see if he could be accepted on the IVA on his own. But if I’m BR we’d have to revisit the I & E. I do have a job lined up, but it won’t be as much as the WFTC we get atm. Or he goes for BR too.

Decisions, decisions. Anybody want to be me at the moment?!