Here we go…

ArtyJ931

It doesn’t matter about equity in the house for an IVA as far as I know

Blackcats

There will be flat days along the way, but you are now moving forward so try not to feel too dispirited.
I assume you have the Lidl app? I think it's worthwhile for the savings and freebies. I get ridiculously excited by a freebie voucher on the app 😁

Some museums are free and it's worth looking out for the free National Trust or Eng Heritage free passes that MSE publicise when available. Would your boys be interested in geocaching treasure hunting? Gooutdoors has a good beginners guide

futuremewillthankme

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82194655#Comment_82194655

I tried geocaching about 10 years ago with my eldest. Completely forgot about it. That’s a brilliant idea, definitely top of the list! I’m sure there was an app…I’m going to have a look. Thank you!

I didn’t manage to speak with Business Debtline. 2 hours on hold and then I gave up. I have spoken more with PayPlan though, and I’m seriously considering an IVA at this point. There are a few things I need confirmed before I go ahead and have agreed to continue chatting with them tomorrow.

Whilst I was waiting for the phone to be answered I created a meal plan spreadsheet and planned my evening meals for next week. I do have the Lidl app, but have decided to have a tesco delivery this weekend. I am tied into a delivery contract until January so may as well use it. Also, I don’t trust myself not to add extras into the trolley when I go into Lidl at the moment. My basket for Sunday is coming in at just over £50 right now. On the meal plan spreadsheet I included a row for ingredients for each meal, and I changed the font to green if it was already in my cupboards so I don’t buy twice. It didn’t take long and next week’s meal plan is:

Monday - pasta bolognese and garlic bread
Tuesday - homemade chicken kebabs
Wednesday - chicken and veg traybake
Thursday - sausage and spinach pasta
Friday - pizza
Saturday - not home
Sunday - roast dinner (have a pork joint from Iceland in the freezer already)

Right, I’m off to look into Geocaching 😁

futuremewillthankme

Saturday afternoon…and I have acquired a teenager. My eldest and his dad clash sometimes and he doesn’t feel he has his own space there due to sharing a bedroom and being back and forwards between his grandparents’ house and his dad’s fiancée’s house. I had spoken with his dad this morning and he had said that I may be contacted by my son asking to come home. It was a positive drop off, and they were both in good spirits with each other.

I did do a couple of tip runs this morning. I have some old furniture left to take but it was a little too heavy for me to take by myself so my son can now help me with that tomorrow. I also put air in my tyres as a warning light had come on in my car. I made the list of things to do with the boys that are cheap or free last night. Top of the list was geocaching, and I have downloaded the app. I found a few free museums that aren’t too far away. I hadn’t heard of some of them. I have about 20 things on the list, including games we can play when we’re out and about such as photograph taking competition so that should mean our weekends can be fun but not costly.

I have no plans for the rest of the day. I’m going to let my son have a relaxing afternoon and I’ll probably pick up a book. The same book that has followed me around all week, and I haven’t opened it!

Blackcats

That sounds like a brilliant list of free activities to do with the boys - wel done. Board games, jigsaws etc are good for bad weather days. I've been surprised at how having a jigsaw on the table engages people to stop and do a few pieces -=even grandkids who would claim that jigsaws are boring join in as they pass the table. Lots of jigsaws in charity shops and our library has some too. Me and DH take it in turns to chose a weekly film and snack to accompany. We have very different taste in films and snacks 🤣

futuremewillthankme

My youngest has asked for new jigsaws for Christmas so that is definitely a good plan. We do enjoy board games and my boys will be getting one each for christmas. I do also have small games that I take out when we have a day out to keep us entertained. Things like Uno. The boys love them.

I have been debating the IVA vs DMP argument again in my head. Despite the level of debt, I am leaning towards the DMP. It gives me a little more control and I’d aim to pay it off a lot sooner than the original plan. I wish I could see into the future and see how both would impact my life. My eldest will be almost 20 in 6 years so possibly at uni. I also have a lot of equity in my house so don’t want to risk losing that. It’s definitely not a done decision yet though.

ArtyJ931

I know how you feel. I've wondered the same myself recently. I wish I could see the future. With an IVA at least you know when it will be finished. With a DMP the concern is it could just drag on if they don't accept settlements, and I've struggled to find any information about settlements. A couple of people here and there have responded but not many. If I knew now that there would be no settlements agreed and in 15 years time I'll have loads of debt still outstanding I'd make different choices… it's a concern for sure.

futuremewillthankme

I’ve decided that Sunday will be ‘check my finance email’ day. I’ve had a couple of missed payment ones, but as it’s such early days it was an easy check. I have also checked my current bank accounts, though I tend to do that most days.

Today is going to be a quiet-ish day. I have a piece of furniture half built so need to finish that, do some laundry, I have my food shop being delivered, a couple of things to take up the attic and just a general tidy up ready to start a new week. I am going to take advantage of the fact my teenager is back home with me, so he can help. I do have a couple more things to go to the tip, which were too heavy for me by myself, so he can help with that too. He has only just woken so I’ll give him some time to wake up properly before putting him to work 🤣

I’m still leaning towards the DMP. I guess I have time to make a decision whilst I wait for defaults, but really thinking the DMP is the option for me.