Enjoy the peace of mind from getting to the end of the process!

Hi tinsoldier.

I'm glad that all is now complete and officially recorded as such.

If you're minded to, it would be great to hear from you in the forum in the future. I'm sure three years seems a very long time to many readers of the forum who are considering their options currently; we know from those that contact the advice team that shared experience from people who have completed their trust deeds counts for a lot.

You could have a section on the left hand menu of stories from people who've been through a trust deed. If people want to send something in, telling the good and bad parts of the experience, it might make interesting reading for people considering this option.

I agree that would be very welcome. Although everyone's situation is unique as to the starting point, there are some aspects that probably are common but don't come up until you're too far into the process to use the info.

Hi Gillian and Pamjo.

I think that's a great idea. If anyone who has completed their trust deed would like to share their thoughts and experiences for the benefit of others reading the site I hope they'll let us know.

They can do so using any of the contact forms on the site and we will get back in touch with them directly.

Good experiences ÔÇô no phone calls any more, no dreading the clatter of the letterbox, no having to rob Peter to pay Paul, becoming far more disciplined with spending, actually taking some responsibility for my actions, knowing that there was a finishing point and that the prize was a debt free life.

Bad experiences ÔÇô no access to credit, sometimes feeling it would never end (three years seems so long at the start but It does go in quickly to be honest), the sometimes arguments with my fianc?® (now wife so it worked out ok!)

As you can see from the above, which I just did off the top of my head, the good experiences for me outweighed the bad. To be honest one of the biggest steps is taking the first step ÔÇô and speaking to someone about your debt. I went initially to the CAB who pointed me in the direction of my TD firm. It was decided that my level of debt and my income/expenditure meant a TD was the best course of action.

I'm so glad that I entered into it. There was some trepidation at first, and the five week wait to see if it would become protected, but all worked out fine. It turned out my trustee instead of being a seven headed monster dabbling in my financial affairs was in fact an extremely helpful human being!

A small tip ÔÇô always be honest with your trustee. I found that this was the best course of action and they were extremely flexible with me for the duration of the TD. And award yourself a wee treat now and again. I did this on each year's anniversary and also when the TD became protected, when I made my last payment and when I was officially discharged. Just the one glass of bubbly of course (ahem).

To everyone reading this, and if you feel things are getting on top of you, please please speak to someone. Help is most definitely out there.

Thanks-it's great you never ran off into the sunset! It is really helpful to have current, actual experiences.

Hi tinsoldier,

glad to hear all is good for you, as some of the other members have said it is good to read your tips and experience. It would be good if you popped into the forum now and again, we are at 10 more payments to go. Where can you see your discharge date? We cant wait to be debt free,we agree very much with you it has been a big learning curve, certainly be more careful with money now.