I was looking around various websites on allowances in an IVA and came across the usual lists...when I came across one that allowed £60 for cigarettes in the allowances!! How can this be fair to the non smokers? I could make £60 go a very long way eg on food! Or am I being unreasonable to smokers?
Some you win, some you lose. The same could be said for pets, haircuts, TV licences, Sky, indeed, driving a car. I didn't get a smoking allowance, being a non - smoker -- but those who do smoke are addicted -- if it was easy to give up I am sure many would! (Although not being able to afford it is a good push in the right direction).
My opinions are merely that .. opinions based on experience. Always seek professional advice.
IVA Completed 23rd July 2013 .... C.C. 10th January 2014
Always a lively topic when brought up on here. I am a non-smoker so never claimed an allowance. However, I acknowledge it's an addiction. e-cigarettes seem to be the way forward where I live, lots of people using them!
IVA final payment left the bank on the 26th January 2013...looking forward to a debt free future.
I look at it the same as if you were unfortunate to suffer a food allergy - your food allowance may be higher as a result of it. What about someone who needs extra medication and have higher than whatever is classed as normal prescription costs?
What about pets? Not everyone has a pet, yet allowances are given to those who do.
I have pets and I smoke (although only when I'm at work which is two days a week - on average about 8 cigarettes per week, so it's voluntary really, not an addiction) and I have allowances for neither of these in my IVA. When I included these and a few other things that were in the budget guidelines, just being truthful and filling it out accurately, I was told that my monthly payment would be too low so they have to come out of my food budget. The food budget amount also sticks to the guidelines based on two adults and a toddler, so they didn't increase it to cover the above,
This also includes glasses and contact lenses, which I can't see without. At the time, I was worried about my IVA being accepted at only £105 per month so didn't contest it. However our IVA also got extended to 6 years because of the low monthly payment, so I could probably have been ok keeping these allowances. I don't know if it's worth asking for the 15% reduction - although it'd only be a small amount, it would pay for the pets at least. Any thoughts? Goodness knows what will happen when bills go up as they will inevitably do - our monthly payment would filter down to nothing!
6 year IVA accepted 7th March 2013... the start of a new journey!
I never got a smoking allowance, but am a non smoker.
so should not get one. But I got an allowance for the cost of my sons getting to collage. keep my motorbike which was just for fun and got a allowance for running my car.
IVA now over with and it was worth it.
now starting my life again,
The I in IVA is for individual and it's down to you and your IP to work out a budget that is fair to you and return the best dividend to your creditors. I'm sure there are so many variations in the expenditure of each of us on the forum.
I would at review time add any increases or extras and discuss with IP as if you don't ask you'll never get.
I used to get a small allowance for my daughter who went to a select school, didn't cover it all we went short on other things but it certainly helped.
IVA final payment left the bank on the 26th January 2013...looking forward to a debt free future.
I'm a smoker and I also have pets neither of which are included in my allowances, I have to fund by saving elsewhere in my allowances.I am also very short sighted and my lenses cost a lot and I also I take three tablets a day. None of which are factored into my IVA.
I had an allowance for our cat which started at £15 per month and was increased to £25 as she needed specific medication. PayPlan accepted this without proof. Unfortunately, she passed away a month after my last IVA payment which was very sad.
I gave up smoking last november..will be a year soon, however never listed it in my I&E. Im now on E cigs which still cost but i am thinking of adding them as its an expense. Whether it will be classed as i hobby im not so sure..isnt it all subject to IP's discrection anyway? I mean the guideline limits set for IVA have to be exceeded in some cases...life gets in the way...emergencies etc..
