Income & Expenditure

[baz36]

Hi all,

Just completing above form for yearly review;-
at present we pay £470/month in to IVA

Family of 4, children age 5 and 15.

Is there any limits on the following does anyone know, or what is realistic. Iam quoting actually what we pay out, and can back it all up but just wondered if it would be okay.

Council Tax £97

Mortgage £560 (this has increased by £80 because the fixed rate ended and this was the cheapest one we could get.

Petrol (2cars) £100

Housekeeping £550

School meals £50 ( 2 children)

Car-tax/ins/mot/maintenance (for 2 cars) £90

Gas & Electric (dual fuel) £119 (though this could well increase)

Telephone(this includes broadband & mine & hubbies mobile) £60

Public transport ( eldest child bus fares ) £20

TV £12

Med/dental/hair £40.00

Clothing £60

Also on the form is CONTINGENCIES, dont know how much is realistic for this one.

Thanks everyone

Newspapers £10

[kallis3]

Any other insurances you pay out for - contents and buildings insurance.

Breakdown insurance if you have it.

[poppy]

I had £50 a month contingency.

[luluj]

email Melanie's office and they will send the recommended CCCS rates - these show what is allowable for a family - don't under sell yourselves - make sure that you can live within those limits - some of them seem very low for a family of 4 - they are close to what we have and there is only two of us !

[MelanieGiles]

I'd be happy to send you a copy Baz, but I think you ought to put down what you actually spend, as the guidelines are only guidelines at the end of the day, and your IP ought to appreciate that some things may be justifyably higher.

[baz36]

if you could send me a copy that would be great. How do we go about that Melanie?

We are with Payplan and this is our first review with them. Quite concerned as to what will happen because we have to send last 3 payslips, mine are fine, but on one of hubbies he got quite a bit of overtime (but we are quite lucky because when we started with Debtmatters 2 years ago the overtime clause was never in the chairmans report) so any overtime has been ours which has been nice.

The overtime he does is NEVER guaranteed so we hope they wouldnt increase our payments for when he only received a flat month.

But i guess they could get the clause of overtime put in couldnt they?

If so then i suppose its no big deal as we have been lucky so far.

Thanks everyone
(its amazing how stressed out its getting me though) i need to chill i think.

[MelanieGiles]

Just send me an e-mail and we will e-mail you back a copy. Could be tomorrow now if that is OK?

If overtime is not mentioned in your proposal, the IP should not increase your payments on the back of this. They cannot get an overtime clause introduced retrospectively.

[baz36]

thanks melanie, where is the email for your office?

So what will happen about the overtime thing then? Would it just be left as it is?

Thanks

Baz

[MelanieGiles]

Just click the link at the bottom of this post.

I suspect that the overtime will be yours to keep - but you will need to specifically check this with the IP.

[baz36]

Thanks Melanie, I have emailed .
I take it the guidelines are are update, taking in to account credit crunch etc.....

Does it state the guideline for number of people in the family etc....

I actually put down £550 a month for groceries, but in theory it could well be more than that, what with a 5 yr old, and a 15yr old and a very hungry husband I feel im forever at the shop. I try the shopping online, asda, tesco, morrisons and Netto and still dont seem to spend anyless.

Im just scared that if I actually put down how much we spend, they then might say 'oh you cant spend that much on that item' WHEN WE ACTUALLY DO'

[MelanieGiles]

Yes the guidelines are calculated on a single person, married couple and each child basis.

You absolutely must put down what you actually spend, so that the IP can carry out his/her review properly.

[baz36]

Thats great,thanks so much for your help, i dont know what we would all do without you.

[MelanieGiles]

Thanks Baz. Comments like that really mean a lot and keep me posting!

[baz36]

Hi Melanie

I did email your office late last night so it would be there today but havent received anything yet, could it be Monday maybe?

Thank you.

[MelanieGiles]

We don't really monitor the site over the weekend, and unfortunately I cannot access it from home. I am sure someone will be looking in tomorrow, alternatively if Andy can send you my personal e-mail address I can send you a copy from home.