Hi Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. My credit cards are balance transfers cards that have approximately £20k between them and are with Egg/Virgin and Marks and Spencer. All introductory rates have ended and I really don't want to transfer balances again because I'm just not reducing the balances - only the minimum payments. I have defaulted on my cards a couple of times until I set up standing orders. I also have a loan which is now approx £4k give or take. I can't believe how much it all adds up to. I pay all my bills and mortgage out of my salary but it isn't clearing my debts. I have approximately £300 a month left after I pay everything which I use for food shopping and essentials. I don't qualify for any benefits. I've read every book on debt management and reducing your outgoings but I really need professional help now. I really want to get this sorted asap for mine and my daughters sake. Maybe an IVA isn't my best option and I heard most banks are not offering equity release for obvious reasons...

Hi - I noticed your post and thought I'd give you a quick reply. I had a nightmare with my finances too and ended up entering into an IVA.. I haven't regretted it although I do regret the wasted weeks speaking to companies who only seemed to want money from me for their help/advice. Eventually I used Simple Debt Solutions - google them becuase I can't remember their address.. They gave really good free advice and I wasn't embarassed to tell them anything. I was going to file for bankruptcy and didn't realise all the implications until I spoke to them - although it is certainly the right course of action for some people - it wouldn't have been for me. It all turned out well in the end. Hope it will for you too!! Keep us all updated.

Hi Don't know if you'd be interested but I used a company called Simple Debt Solutions a while ago for my IVA and they keep in touch with me. They just sent me a book free of charge with lots of practical advice on money issues called "The New Spend Less Revolution" -they are giving this book to visitors to their website FREE OF CHARGE. If you put Simple Debt Solutions into Google the book offer is on the home page. I like most people was ignoring my debts until I took action! Try the book - you never know it may help...

Hi Missy I've been reading your posts over the past few days and your situation reminds me of mine a while back. I ended up entering into an IVA which I needed sorting quickly so used a company rather than going to CAB etc(although initially CAB recommended an IVA). I haven't regretted it to be honest and feel much happier in myself for entering into one. I asked around for a recommendation - and one of the chat forums had a post for Simple Debt Solutions so I googled them. I have had no problems at all getting my finances back in order and luckily they had better results with the companies chasing me than I did on my own even with MBNA who were in my case relatively responsive. Anyway like I said go with a recommendation if you choose this route. Like you I only recently found this site and have told all my friends about it. It's great when you find something relevant and all your questions are answered! Hope you get things sorted. Good luck getting closure.

Hi Sorry I have been on holiday and missed your post. I am using Simple Debt Solutions to sort out my IVA. Well it's almost sorted now and I'm so happy. I have had a good month. Simple Debt Solutions have lifted a weight off my shoulders in a big way - how nice are they.... Then my parents announced they were paying for us all to go on a family holiday with them - the 4 of us have just returned from Tenerife. Now looking forward to Christmas and definately NOT getting in a mess EVER again...

Hi - i am new to the site - Hello! I stumbled upon this post whilst trying to find information on reclaiming bank charges for my sister. This forum is brilliant and I will now be a regular visitor. I'm not sure if pritchy still needs advice on which IVA company to use but I was in a total financial meltdown about 2 years ago and kept everything bottled until the inevitable breakdown caught up with me. I spoke to CAB and they advised an IVA then told me to get in touch with CCCS. I took an age to speak to someone and I felt like I needed to get my life back on track quickly so I looked online and found a few companies to call. One of which were called Simple Debt Solutions (not sure of the number but Google will) I felt like a huge weight had been lifted after I spoke to them - so they dealt with it all for me and now my life couldn't be better - new job, new man, new outlook.... I think if people have a good experience with a company they should share it!! Now I'll go any find the correct place for posts on reclaiming bank charges and hope to get answers to my questions.... ta ta for now