Don't blame you! I managed to dodge the rain this morning when taking the dogs out (we have step grandaughter so it was just me with them!) but I think they may miss out at the moment - I can't believe the difference between today and yesterday!
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 do okay for about three weeks, internet shop, but the last week before payday is usually tesco value or sainsburys basic and a battle on how far you can stretch £30...
Never internet shop - being a miser I won't pay for delivery!
I always have a list and it is mostly to just top up on the stuff we have used the week before. We use basic stuff for things such as tinned tomatoes but there some things I won't compromise on.
I used to do a virtual online shop between all my local supermarkets for the stuff I needed and divide my time between them all.
I just use Asda now with a top up at Tesco.
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
Makes me wonder where these price increases across the board will end.
Since I started my IVA nine months ago my expenditure has increased by over £100 a month, due to mortgage, petrol, insurance and food price increases. Luckily my partner got a pay rise a few months ago which alleviated some of the pressure. Apparently Gas and Electricity is due to increase again by around 15% imminently too, so in my case, that will be another £17 a month to magic from somewhere.
On a brighter note, those of us in IVA`s who`ve fallen victim to the playstation hacking scandal needn`t worry...Who`s going to want to steal our identities?[:D]
"When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea".
I have ready meals or soup for work, meat is from the local butcher and bread from the local bakery. The rest is from Asda. I leave hubby to sort out the rest of the food!
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 never get fresh stuff on line as I find they don't worry about long dates. Get meat from our butcher in town (not for long when our lambs are all grown up!!) and fruit and veg in Tescos - everything else is on line. I always do a bulk buy on line so only paying 1 or 2 charges per month and it's only £3.50 - store is 25 miles away so cheaper than driving myself. I also make all my meals in bulk for the freezer but it's easier for me as I have no children and I am part time at the moment. Hate doing it with a passion but when I see all the finished cartons ready to freeze I am well happy. a lot cheaper than buying ready made meals and tastes better in our opinion.
Kazza - I couldn't do that! I love my meat but couldn't rear and kill my own!
Hubby does bulk cooking as well so there's always something to eat. He makes his own jam and marmalade as well.
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 think partly its the cost of living and partly for me, ive never increased my I&E, so i have a train pass for work which is use twice a week and i use petrol in the car the other times. Mainly as i work unsocial hours its not the best hanging around train stations at half 11 at night. So the train pass is now £54 and my allowance is £40 and petrol i have £80 a month but easily spend over £100. Ive never changed this, but this review i have increased it as i have had a couple of payrises and still paying £6 above my monthly payment for IVA.
I know £6 isn't much, but every little helps! general household allowance, for clothing and food i just get £180 a month which tbh is awful, i can spend £40 on food some weeks especially when you buy cleaning stuff for washing and soaps and shampoo's and things. Problem is im not allowed to alter that amount. I did call and ask and was told as im classed as living solo thats all i can have. If my other half moves in they say it will be halved as she should pay half towards food and things, £90 a month is just daft!!
You are allowed-the figures should not be set in stone-speak to your ip instead of customer care.
We are above maximum allowance on a number of things as the cccs figures are a joke-luckily our ip agrees.
full and final accepted January 2015
iva agreed; August 2010
iva would have completed; August 2017
extra year thank's to NRAM
We've never had any problems at all with increasing our expenditure and have never paid across anything from a payrise as it's always eaten up by the rise in fuel, food etc.
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
Our ip is flexible when it comes to expenditure as we have a six year iva which will easily cover the minimum dividend-plus the equity clause so they know the creditors are going to receive what they asked for and a year more.Bonuses and enhancements in hubbys wage also factor in for overpayments.
We claim more on certain expenses because we spend more.
How can the figures apply to the whole population-things are more expensive in some parts of the country than others-certain professions require you to look smart and thats not cheap.
My husbands wage would be the same wherever we live-but the cost of living wouldnt be!!!
Kids have growth spurts that require new clothes on a weekly basis (believe me!!!)my son is on his 3rd uniform since September.
How can it be an INDIVIDUAL voluntary arrangement when limits are applied to expenditure.
If you spend more-claim more-show receipts if you have to.
full and final accepted January 2015
iva agreed; August 2010
iva would have completed; August 2017
extra year thank's to NRAM
Quite agree Andrea - if you live in London it is going to be a lot more expensive than living further north.
As long as you can justify the expense and back it up with receipts or bills if needs be then it should be allowed.
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
Trouble is -you always get area of any city that a more expensive then elsewhere (ie central Edinburgh and Glasgow)both of these area are about the same price as central London both in living costs and housing. So i could see a issue of trying make allowances in a IVA for these diffrent costing -
It is wrong though when you can't help where you live. Where I am the cost of living isn't too bad and my salary is a decent one but I can sympathise if you live in an expensive part of the country.
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
